... a preface.

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

And the only real tragedy in life is the being used by personally minded men for purposes which you recognize to be base. This alone is misery, slavery, hell on earth; and the revolt against it is the only force that offers a man's work to the poor artist.

—George Bernard Shaw, preface to Man and Superman.