And they're doing this against some pretty incredible odds, especially in developing countries.

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE

Beckett's plays, with their theme of constant striving against the odds, their inevitable failure but determined continuing towards some sort of truth, fitted exactly with Arikha's notions of his art.

ECONOMIST: Avigdor Arikha, painter of life, died on April 29th, aged 81

But the revelation of "Against the Odds" is that so many individual American Jews, and even some non-Jews, stepped up, and worked tirelessly to save European relatives, friends and total strangers from the looming disaster.

WSJ: A Tortuous Road to Refuge | Against the Odds | Museum of Jewish Heritage | By Julia M. Klein

Even if the system is pretty good and the odds are stacked against the cheaters, if there are enough players then some of the cheaters will get away with it, nonetheless.

FORBES: The Dark Secret of Meritocracy: Reality is Rigged

However, the odds are against it: 70% of people over age 65 are going to need some type of long-term care, on average for three years.

WSJ: The Experts: Financial Mistakes in Retirement