Compare And Contrast David And Goliath

Success can easily come from intelligence, wealth, or pure luck. However, Roman poet Horace argues that one’s misfortune and suffering provide a path for success and positivity. He says, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” True prosperity has been repeatedly found in cases where life’s challenges are considerable. In essence, when people are faced with sacrifice and hardship, the human condition’s deep-rooted attitude of striving beyond limits is touched upon, ultimately leading to accomplishments.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath, he discusses how the so-called “underdog” is actually more advantageous. Through numerous examples Gladwell concludes that since the “underdog”
Temple Grandin grew up with little ability to speak, destructive behavior, and sensitivity to certain objects and feelings. In the 1950’s when she was diagnosed, autism was not a highly explored topic. Therefore, her mother received the message that Grandin would face many difficulties in life. Eventually, Grandin realized, “Oh, it’s me that’s different,” though she did not let this stop her from going to enough school to get her doctorate (9). Throughout her life, she has used her disadvantage with autism in participating in studies to help those with autism now lead a more successful life. She is also now able to look at herself differently than she would have years ago. Years ago, she would have looked down upon herself in a mental institution because there were not studies to assess the autistic brain. Now, she is even able to study her own brain. Grandin states, “I find these results fascinating because they highlight some of the odd things going on in my brain that help make me who I am” (33). Throughout Temple Grandin’s life, autism has come a long way. Grandin has demonstrated that her difficulties contributed to her success and passion in helping others and striving beyond the limits set by the autistic
In his memoir, Frankl is able to psychoanalyze the minds of those with him at Auschwitz in the terror during the Holocaust. Frankl powerfully states, “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering” (67). At Auschwitz, Frankl and his co-inmates were deprived of almost everything they have ever considered a need; some even began to lose their minds also. However, “the lack of having these simple desires satisfied led him to seek wish fulfillment in dreams” (Frankl 29). Frankl realized that it is in human condition to stay strong, even in the darkest of times. He learned that these hopeless times are what give people, especially those in the Holocaust, the hope and will power to succeed. Prior to the war circumstances, Viktor Frankl would have lived on as a successful logotherapist. However, the Holocaust provided him with an internal success, mentally and emotionally. Frankl presents the idea that man’s meaning is not to become wealthy or famous, but instead to live life happily and survive any given circumstances, which in the end are