"These humiliations are the essence of the game"

This quote by Alistair Cooke is referring to the concept that life is a video game, and that the hardships and struggles we deal with belong to the video game. He is recommending that the humiliations we experience are a vital part of the game, which we must accept them in order to progress. He is indicating that these embarrassments are essential for us to learn and grow, which they need to not be viewed as a negative thing. He is suggesting that we should embrace these experiences and utilize them to our advantage. He is also recommending that we should not hesitate of failure, as it belongs to the video game and can be used to our advantage. Ultimately, Cooke is recommending that we ought to accept the humiliations that include life, and use them to our benefit in order to be successful.