In "The Edge," Dick Francis emphasizes the importance of living in the present, highlighting that the struggle for goodness and moral integrity resides in the here and now. This ongoing battle for virtue and uprightness is portrayed as a continuous effort that requires constant engagement and commitment from individuals. Each moment presents a fresh opportunity to choose the path of morality.

Francis suggests that regardless of the terminology used—whether virtue, morality, or order—the essence of the struggle remains the same. It is a persistent journey that individuals must undertake, reflecting the universal challenge of maintaining ethical standards in a complicated world.