price of being born

My teacher wrote to me this once during my second year at college:

Life is hard and stiff -- all said; and the price of being born is existence. one does not always get what one wants in life and there is no way to be sure if what one wants is what would be in one's best interest in the end. But one has to accept what comes and be grateful that it is no worse. That said, this is no excuse for escapism or for always not trying hard enough to accomplish what one considers worth accomplishing. The only way to be happy and peaceful is to give off one's best, work through the long day and at the end of that, retire in the quietness of the evening to one's self, throw oneself on the bed, put one's arm under one's head and go to sleep with the satisfaction that the best that could be given had already been given, and there was nothing left to give and that therefore there is no reason or use or wisdom worrying what one's efforts would translate into- success or failure. This is as true of our efforts at preserving the sanctity and bliss in human relations as of the labour in the field.