In the light of this truth, what, then, is the meaning of ‘fighting against circumstances’? It means that a man is continually revolting against an effect without, while all the time he is nourishing and preserving its cause in his heart. That cause may take the form of a conscious vice or an unconscious weakness; but whatever it is, it stubbornly retards the efforts of its possessor and, thus, calls aloud for remedy.
Men are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they, therefore, remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self- crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is as true of earthly as of heavenly things.
Even the man whose sole object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object; and how much more so he who would realise a strong and well-poised life?