Whirling Snow And Blinding Mist

Each must act as he thinks best; and if he is wrong, so much the worse for him.  We stand on a mountain pass in the midst of whirling snow and blinding mist, through which we get glimpses now and then of paths which may be deceptive.  If we stand still we shall be frozen to death.  If we take the wrong road we shall be dashed to pieces.  We do not certainly know whether there is any right one.  What must we do?  "Be strong and of a good courage." Act for the best, hope for the best, and take what comes. ...  If death ends all, we cannot meet death better.

-- Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829-1894), English lawyer and judge, in Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, p. 353, 2d edition (London, 1874)