I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were

In the grand weave of fate, there are those who are born into difficult circumstances, and yet from such beginnings, the most remarkable journeys can unfold. Norman Wisdom, a man who rose from humble origins to become a beloved figure in comedy, once remarked, "I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry." These words, seemingly lighthearted, are imbued with a deeper wisdom—one that acknowledges the weight of one's beginnings without being crushed by it. They speak of the truth that the past, no matter how sorrowful, does not dictate the future; rather, it is the spirit of the individual, the heart that beats within, that has the power to forge greatness.

To be born into "very sorry circumstances" is to be cast into a world that seems harsh, unyielding, and full of despair. It is as if the gods themselves have smiled upon you with a cruel grace, for your beginnings are fraught with struggle. And yet, as Norman Wisdom makes clear, the sorrow of birth does not define the soul. He does not speak with bitterness but with the dry humor of one who has seen the darkness and found, in his own way, a glimmer of light. In his jest, there lies a profound understanding: that the trials we face are often the soil from which our resilience and character grow.

Let us think back to the ancient hero Heracles, born the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Alcmene. His birth, like Wisdom’s, was marked by tragedy. His stepmother, Hera, sought to destroy him from the very moment he took breath, and his life was filled with trials, labors, and suffering. Yet from this suffering, Heracles grew in strength, wisdom, and valor. His story reminds us that the circumstances of our birth, though often beyond our control, do not seal our fates. Rather, the choices we make, and the strength we find within ourselves, will shape the destiny we seek.

In every age, there have been those born into humble or sorry circumstances, whose journeys took them far beyond the limitations of their birth. Abraham Lincoln, born in a log cabin in the wilderness, with little more than the light of a flickering hearth to guide his way, rose to become one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. His childhood was one of struggle and hardship, much like Wisdom’s own self-deprecating words, yet it was the fire within him, the deep desire for knowledge, and his capacity for empathy that transcended the bounds of his birth. The lesson here is clear: one's origins are but the starting point of a much larger journey.

What Wisdom’s quote teaches us, then, is that we must not allow our beginnings to determine the boundaries of our lives. The sorrows of birth, the struggles of youth—these are the shaping forces, but not the defining ones. As we journey through life, we are given the opportunity to redefine our circumstances. Wisdom himself, with his wit and charm, did just this, rising from the sorry state of his early years to bring joy and laughter to countless lives. Through humor, he turned his sorrow into a source of strength, showing that even the darkest of beginnings can lead to the brightest of endings.

There is a universal truth in his words: that no matter how we begin, the essence of who we are and what we become is within us. It is the spirit we bring to the world, the choices we make along the way, that carve out our legacy. Norman Wisdom’s life serves as a testament to this very principle. Though his parents, by his own account, were "very sorry," he did not allow their circumstances to define him. Instead, he found a way to rise above the past, turning adversity into opportunity—a lesson that echoes through the corridors of time.

So, as you walk your own path, remember the wisdom of Norman Wisdom’s words. When life is difficult, when the weight of your circumstances seems too great, look within. The strength to transcend, to transform sorrow into joy, is always present. Do not let the world define you by the difficulties of your birth, but define yourself by how you meet the challenges ahead. Like the ancient heroes, like Wisdom himself, rise above the sorrow, and let your heart’s laughter echo across the generations. For in the end, it is not the sorrow of birth that matters, but the triumph of spirit that emerges from it.