Skyrim is one of my favorite games of all time. Though, I’m not sure I can really claim that, since I never actually finished the main story. You don’t really need to—the main draw of the game comes from the open-world exploration and innumerous side quests to get lost in. If you do follow the main storyline, however, you will eventually have a conversation with the dragon Paarthurnax. Paarthurnax was once an enemy of mankind, like all other dragons; but he chose to turn against his kind to help and protect those they were seeking to destroy. In this conversation, Paarthurnax delivers a line that has become one of the most famous pieces of in-game dialogue across all franchises: “What is better—to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” It’s a magnificent line that drives right into the heart of much of human philosophy. Does life hold more meaning if it must be fought for? It’s challenging, because we really can’t know. The fact of the matter is that we have been given only one of the options to test. Who knows what the life of a person born good looks and feels like? If we did, we’d develop empirical evidence that could determine who won the genealogical draft and who drew the short straw. Instead, we’re all the same. Which means that it is up to us to decide what that answer is for ourselves, without clear evidence. For me, the answer is clear: I will choose to believe that the life of a person that must constantly right the course—of a person that through tremendous struggle and sacrifice is able to rise slightly above the terror and blight—is the greatest blessing that can be given. Sometimes, it’s easy to believe; other times, it’s hard. But it is always helpful.