Crosses

If thou carry the cross willingly, it will carry thee and bring thee to thy desired end -- to that place where there will be an end of suffering, though here there will be no end. If thou carry it unwillingly, thou makest it a burden to thee, and loadest thyself the more, and nevertheless thou must bear it. If thou fling away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another and perhaps a heavier.

-- Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ