No, despair has to do more damage to make a difference than hope has to inspire one to change. I'm not saying it's impossible for someone to break past the point of repair, because that's obviously a naive outlook. But if people were more inclined to allow themselves to be brought low than elevated, then . . .

[He waves his hand vaguely, a gesture intended to illustrate his point.]

We'd never have come down from the trees at all. Which might be preferable to you, who knows.