# III: A Triple Best explained — A Day at a Time

> Chapter companion for A Day at a Time by Archibald Alexander.

## What happens

This chapter explores George Stephenson's life motto: 'Make the best of everything; think the best of everybody; hope the best for yourself.' It argues for cheerfulness and resilience in adversity, for charitable judgment of others, and for hopeful self-regard grounded in faith in God. The chapter uses examples from Scripture, literature, and everyday life to illustrate how these three principles lead to a better life and deeper trust in God.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cheerfulness and Resilience

The chapter emphasizes making the best of circumstances, citing examples of cheery people recovering quickly from sickness and men who never know when they are beaten.

### Love and Generosity

Thinking the best of everybody is presented as a Christlike mark of charity, illustrated by the legend of Jesus finding good in a dead dog and the contrast with Judas.

### Hope and Optimism

The third part of the motto urges hoping the best for yourself, linking this to faith in God and the belief that 'God's road winds uphill all the way.'

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Contrasted with Judas in the story of the ointment; cited as the one who finds good even in a dead dog; the basis for hope and faith.

### Judas

Used as the negative example of criticizing a good work (the ointment) for selfish reasons.

### George Stephenson

His life motto 'Make the best of everything; think the best of everybody; hope the best for yourself' is the central theme of the chapter.

### Amos Barton

Cited from George Eliot's 'Scenes of Clerical Life' as an example of someone blissfully unaware of others' criticism, buoyed by conceit.

### George Eliot

Quoted for her observation about human conceit being like 'air vessels' that buoy us up.

### Paul

The chapter's epigraph is from Romans 1:17, 'The just shall live by faith.'

## Key lines

> Make the best of everything; think the best of everybody; hope the best for yourself.

In every situation, focus on the positive; judge others charitably; maintain hopeful self-regard.

_George Stephenson's life motto, which structures the entire chapter._

> Granted, the ship comes into harbour with shrouds and tackle damaged; the pilot is blameworthy. He has not been all-wise and all-powerful. But, to know how blameworthy, tell us first whether his voyage has been round the globe, or only to Ramsgate and the Isle of Dogs.

Yes, a person may have flaws and failures, but before judging them harshly, consider the scale and difficulty of what they have attempted.

_Carlyle's metaphor used to argue for leniency in judging others._

> We are poor plants, buoyed up by the air vessels of our own conceit.

Our self-esteem, even if inflated, helps us keep going.

_George Eliot's observation about human nature, used to support the value of hopeful self-regard._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/chapters/iii-a-triple-best
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_day_at_a_time_se/chapters