And these vicissitudes come best in youth;
For when they happen at a riper age,
People are read more

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.

Adversity reminds men of religion.
[Lat., Adverse res admonent religionum.]

Adversity reminds men of religion.
[Lat., Adverse res admonent religionum.]

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to read more

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to ease us,
Points out some circumstance to please us.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

We survive on adversity and perish in ease and comfort.

We survive on adversity and perish in ease and comfort.

Adversity is the first path to truth.

Adversity is the first path to truth.

The Good are better made by Ill,
As odours crushed are sweeter still.

The Good are better made by Ill,
As odours crushed are sweeter still.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

Adversity makes a man wise, not rich ...

Adversity makes a man wise, not rich ...