Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that read more

Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that we may not eschu,
And namely that that to us alle is due.

Stern is the visage of necessity.
[Ger., Ernst ist der Anblick der Nothwendigkeit.]

Stern is the visage of necessity.
[Ger., Ernst ist der Anblick der Nothwendigkeit.]

An extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife.

An extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife.

Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like read more

Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, subtly taints
Even then when we sit idly in the sun.

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.

Art imitates nature, and necessity is the mother of invention.

Art imitates nature, and necessity is the mother of invention.

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!

Necessity is a violent school-mistress.
[Fr., C'est une violente maistresse d'eschole que la necessite.]

Necessity is a violent school-mistress.
[Fr., C'est une violente maistresse d'eschole que la necessite.]

Necessity is the mother of invention, it is true -- but it's father is creativity, and knowledge is the midwife.

Necessity is the mother of invention, it is true -- but it's father is creativity, and knowledge is the midwife.