Tom Cruise can look forward to the Honorary Oscar. The Hollywood star hasn't won a regular Academy Award yet. He's in good company with this combination.

This counts as a consolation because it points us to that deeper wellspring of life and wisdom that, throughout the ages, promises to orient our consciences, to enflame our religious imaginations, and ...

The consolation prize always felt more wondrous than the trophy from a real win. You had failed, and yet the world treated you with pleasure anyway.

In “On Consolation,” the prolific author, professor and former politician Michael Ignatieff pushes aside this commercial, foamy emotion and dives into the murkier waters beneath.