Do you know the song "Quick Canal" by Atlas Sound? It articulates some of the sentiments in this thread beautifully.
"I wanted to live the life of a prince Because I thought saints were born saints So, indeed, we didn't stand a chance
Insalubrious offshoots of nature With heart & mind of our own All the daughters, all the sons Taking centuries to unearth the creature
Heralding a stage Where consciousness is higher Taken through a costly process Of success & failure
I thought saints were born saints I looked in the dirt & found wisdom is learnt Through a costly process Of success & failure
Oh, wisdom is learnt"