My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have read more

My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have given:
And trod the mountain height,
Where Science, young and bright,
Scans with poetic gaze the midnight-heaven.
Yet have I found no power to vie
With thine, severe necessity!

It is bad to live for necessity; but there is no necessity to
live in necessity.
[Lat., Malum read more

It is bad to live for necessity; but there is no necessity to
live in necessity.
[Lat., Malum est necessitati vivere; sed in necessitate vivere
necessitas nulla est.]

If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.

If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.

Learn on how little man may live, and how small a portion nature
requires.
[Lat., Discite quam parvo read more

Learn on how little man may live, and how small a portion nature
requires.
[Lat., Discite quam parvo liceat producere vitam,
Et quantum natura petat.]

It is in these useless and superfluous things that I am rich and
happy.

It is in these useless and superfluous things that I am rich and
happy.

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Necessity is the mother of "taking chances"

Necessity is the mother of "taking chances"

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To read more

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Necessity's sharp pinch.