"The swimmer adrift on the open seas measures his strength, and strives with all his muscles to keep himself afloat. But what is he to do when there is no land on the horizon, and none beyond it?"

This quote by Georges Duhamel talks to the powerlessness of the person in the face of a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. The swimmer is adrift on the ocean blues, and in spite of their best shots, they are not able to make any progress. They are surrounded by a limitless area of water, with no land in sight. The swimmer is required to face the reality of their scenario, and the futility of their efforts. The quote talks to the idea that, in the face of frustrating odds, the person is powerless to make any real modification. It is a tip that, in the face of adversity, we must accept our restrictions and make every effort to make the best of our scenario.