Nothing perplexes the sensitive heart more than the problem of human suffering. Studdert-Kennedy used to say that anyone who was undisturbed by the problem of pain was suffering from one of two things: either from a hardening of the heart, or a softening of the brain. He's absolutely right.  Is there any purpose to pain? Any advantage to adversity? Any solace in suffering?

"Don't be discouraged, Charlie Brown," Schroeder tells him. "These early defeats help to build character for later on in life." "For what later on in life?" asks Charlie Brown. "For more defeats!" replies Schroeder. Charlie Brown then invests in five cents' worth of Lucy's psychiatric help. At first her advice sounds a bit more sophisticated: "Adversity builds character," she says. "Without adversity a person could neve…