“Build me a son O Lord who will be strong enough to know when he is weak and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat and humble and gentle in victory”
— Douglas MacArthur
Simplified Meaning:
The quote is asking for a child to be raised with both strength and humility. It means wanting a son who can recognize his own weaknesses and doesn't pretend to be strong when he isn't. It's about having the courage to face his fears and be honest with himself. When he loses or fails, he should accept it with dignity and without bitterness. Conversely, when he wins or succeeds, he should be modest and kind, not boastful or arrogant. For example, imagine a child playing a soccer game. If he misses a goal and his team loses, he should accept the loss gracefully and acknowledge his mistakes without feeling ashamed. He should also congratulate the winning team. But if he scores the winning goal in another game, he should not brag or make the others feel bad, but rather celebrate quietly and thank his teammates for their help. This balance helps build a character that is both strong and kind, capable of handling both success and failure in a healthy way.