“The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.”

(-; I like it a lot ;-) way too much truth for comfort there !

A fun set today: Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and a Lily Tomlin quote that summarizes the whole of life ( sort-of ).
Hence, the Editor's choice to offset the long and prolonged quotations of that-there period of time; not that there's one single thing wrong with either Ben or Tommy-boy ( as I used to call him ).

Then get me out of the maze!

Their are no winners in the rat race. The alternative, the third alternative is to not compete. You are not to impose on others all the while trying to negotiate with others to make them aware of their impositions as to not be imposed upon. You will learn the authentic life process by practicing the skills of a diplomatic, statesman, educator and true friend.