Summary

Saunders goes on to state that as people age, their sense of self and of selfishness diminishes, and their sense of selflessness and love grows. Saunders suggests, as an example, that having children is “a huge moment in your process of self-diminishment” (17). Parents generally care less about themselves as long as their children benefit. Saunders says that that is why the parents of the graduates are so proud of them on this day of graduation. Saunders then points out that, when a person is young, they are anxious to find out if they have the personal resources to succeed and “build a viable life for ourselves” (18). However, Saunders points out that there is “a certain cyclical quality to ambition” (18). In other words, ambition is always geared towards a specific goal, which is always geared towards a following goal, with no clear end in sight...