Each of us spoils life in some way, makes it worse. Every evil word we speak poisons the air. Every lie, every act of violence enters existence and brings it into chaos. We human beings have contributed to the way life is. It is therefore dishonest to stand here now and say that God cannot be good when all this is happening. We can only say: “Lord, grant me the patience to endure what we have done, so that I may contribute my part to making it better where I stand.” That is the only honest answer.
(Romano Guardini /1885–1968/, Virtues, 1963)
