And these vicissitudes come best in youth;
For when they happen at a riper age,
People are apt to blame the Fates, forsooth,
And wonder Providence is not more sage.
Adversity is the first path to truth:
He who hath proved war, storm, or woman's rage,
Whether his winters be eighteen or eighty,
Has won experience which is deem'd so weighty.
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Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found read more
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him;
For then, and not till then, he felt himself,
And found the blessedness of being little.
No man is more unhappy than the one who is never in adversity; the greatest affliction of life is never read more
No man is more unhappy than the one who is never in adversity; the greatest affliction of life is never to be afflicted.
If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would read more
If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own.
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious read more
Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be read more
The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.
In the adversity of our best friends we often find something
which does not displease us.
[Fr., Dans read more
In the adversity of our best friends we often find something
which does not displease us.
[Fr., Dans l'adversite de nos meilleurs amis nous trouvons
toujours quelque chose ne nous deplaist pas.]
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is read more
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.
