Half-wild, Half-saved

"If this life be not a real fight, in which something is eternally gained for the universe by success, it is not better than a game  [of private theatricals]  from which one may withdraw at will. But it feels like a real fight,–as if there were something really wild in the universe which we, with all our idealities and faithfulnesses, are needed to redeem….For such a half-wild, half-saved universe our nature is adapted."

-William James, 'Is Life Worth Living?'