The concept presented by Niall Ferguson in "Civilization: The West and the Rest" emphasizes the harsh realities of human existence. He suggests that life is an ongoing struggle where birth comes with pain, living requires toil, and death is an unavoidable fate. This perspective reflects a somber understanding of the human experience, portraying life as a series of burdensome challenges that must be faced.

Ferguson's insights resonate with the notion that labor is a fundamental aspect of being alive, suggesting that from the moment of birth, individuals are subjected to the trials that shape their existence. This view invites a contemplation of the essential nature of human life, where every stage is accompanied by its own form of suffering, ultimately leading to the certainty of death.