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Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.

— William Shakespeare • Henry VI, Part III

Green knitted arms wrap around a spiky yellow fruit on a dark stone slab against plum.
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Behind the line May contain spoilers.

Our reading

An editorial interpretation.

Here the speaker greets hardship like an unwelcome guest and decides to hug it, because supposedly wise people call that the smartest approach. The tone is wry and half-resigned: if suffering can't be dodged, meeting it with open arms may be the sensible move.

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