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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diamonds shine more brightly foiled by black velvet.
diamonds shine more brightly foiled by black velvet.
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.
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.
. . . it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
. . . it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
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.
By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity--another man's I mean.
By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity--another man's I mean.
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.
Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember
Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember
Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so read more
Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.
