I think childhood is, generally speaking, a preparation for disappointment.
Plan for the worst, expect the best.
This is something that I think has been going on for before I played football - just kind of guys sitting down with some of the younger guys to prepare them for what they'll be faced with.
You always have to prepare for the obstacles that are going to come. Consequently, when they do come, it doesn't affect you mentally near as much as when you're unprepared for them.
If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do is to always expect it.
Fear's useless. Either something bad happens or it doesn't: If it doesn't, you've wasted time being afraid, and if it does, you've wasted time that you could have spent sharpening your weapons.
It is only the surprise and newness of the thing which makes that misfortune terrible which by premeditation might be made easy to us. For that which some people make light by sufferance, others do by foresight.
A prudent mind can see room for misgiving, lest he who prospers should one day suffer reverse.
Therefore, since the world has still Much good, but much less good than ill, And while the sun and moon endure Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure, I'd face it as a wise man would, And train for ill and not for good.
