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// From Tia, RE: Letter 51 
// Story: To: Anon, From HRH Sunbutt. 
// by Snow 
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Dear Anon,

The Elements of Harmony represent virtues which support a powerful force in our world. It is not the virtues that are flawed, but ponies, and even our perceptions of ponies. Ponies, and I assume humans (given your behavior) all have good inside of them, but sometimes we don't stay true to that good inside of us, or it doesn't show as clearly as we'd like. What the Elements require the most is that we can understand that virtue within our hearts, and we do try to strive for that virtue in our daily loves. It's okay if we can't always manage it, the effort and the light in our hearts are channeled by the Elements toward a goal.

The closer a pony is to that virtue,  and the truer they are to it, the more good the Elements of Harmony can do. 

The other caveat is, however, a pony usually can't be all of these things at once, and if you should willingly betray one of those virtues (rather than simply fail it), that element will not serve you in the future. When we have friends that are trustworthy, that will stand beside us, that will help us when we are hurt, that will share when we are without, that will make us smile when things are dark, that will shine the light that shows how the world can be just that much better, there is nothing in this world we cannot accomplish. Nothing we can't do. No good that is beyond our reach.

We are ponies, Anon, we aren't perfect, but there is great good in this world that we have done, and will try to continue doing.

Your friend,
Princess Celestia

PS. I'm told 'orbital friendship cannon' is a popular alternative name.