Second, in the right time and place, great art can deliver great solace.
"Come By Here," a song deeply rooted in black Christianity's vision of a God who intercedes to deliver both solace and justice, by the 1960s became the pallid pop-folk sing-along "Kumbaya".
Then Americans turn to the federal government to help them deliver safety and solace.
Since the political middle ground has failed to deliver, voters are seeking solace through political candidates spouting increasingly extremist rhetoric, and raising the prospects of parties on the far right and left.
There are basically two types of Bond film plots: he's either preventing villains from developing a superweapon, or preventing villainous business magnates from eliminating their competitors to create a monopoly, and Quantum of Solace delivered the latter, with an environmentalist entrepreneur attempting to control South America's water supply.
That their pain and sadness will magically disappear when our surprise gifts deliver joy and hope, injecting solace straight into their hearts to melt away their sorrow?
There was nobody who could save her, nobody who could deliver her gently back to the solace of people.
Inside the cathedral the pews of the magnificent 13th century nave are full as the Rev Dr Laurence Whitley stands to deliver a service he hopes will bring consolation and solace to the city.
Horses die in wars, deliver children from flaming houses and offer solace to disabled people, and somehow that's an advert for a bank.
They provide vital motivation to countless political campaigners - the fading memory of an inspiring conference speech can offer precious solace to the lonely activist battling through the rain to deliver yet more leaflets to voters' doors.
In a complex, often tragic year, jazz again proved itself an adept reflector and communicator, delivering messages of outrage, solace and hope while giving a voice to what lies beyond words.
