The Best Horse in the Race?

Shunryu Suzuki
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

"...almost all of us want to be the best horse.  If it is impossible to be the best one, we want to be the second best one....When you are determined to practice zazen with the great mind of Buddha, you will find the worst horse is the most valuable one.  In your very imperfections you will find the basis for your firm, way-seeking mind."

The Book of Mormon implies that it is very difficult (perhaps impossible?) to come unto Christ without first confronting the reality of the natural man in ourselves that we might truly understand our need for the atonement.  Only one who realizes is not on the way, can have a "firm, way-seeking mind."

Suzuki also refers to a Japanese proverb that I find interesting in a similar context:

"We say, 'A good father is not a good father."  Do you understand?  One who thinks he is a good father is not a good father.  One who thinks he is a good husband is not a good husband.  One who thinks he is one of the worst husbands may be a good one if he is always trying to be a good husband with a single-hearted effort."