"Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically"

This quote by David Herbert Lawrence talks to the human condition in the modern age. It suggests that, regardless of the disaster that is intrinsic in life, we have the power to choose how we respond to it. We can pick to accept the disaster and be overwhelmed by it, or we can select to take it in stride and not let it specify us. Lawrence is suggesting that, by declining to take life unfortunately, we can discover a way to deal with the challenging times and still discover pleasure and significance in life. He is motivating us to take a more positive outlook on life, even in the face of catastrophe. By doing so, we can discover a method to maximize our lives and find hope in the midst of despair.