Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall read more

Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall presume to prophesy their date,
Where nought is certain save the uncertainty of fate?
- Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher,

They are raised on high that they may be dashed to pieces with a
greater fall.
[Lat., Tolluntur read more

They are raised on high that they may be dashed to pieces with a
greater fall.
[Lat., Tolluntur in altum
Ut lapsu gaviore ruant.]

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still read more

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still strong, though past their prime,
To curse the hopeless world they ever curs'd
Vaunting vile deeds, and vainest of the worst.

Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends.

Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends.

A person must stand very tall to see their own fate.

A person must stand very tall to see their own fate.

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
read more

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
We do but row, we're steer'd by Fate,
Which in success oft disinherits,
For spurious causes, noblest merits.

Thy fate is the common fate of all; Into each life some rain must fall.

Thy fate is the common fate of all; Into each life some rain must fall.

Many things happen between the cup and the lip.

Many things happen between the cup and the lip.

Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm read more

Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes the blow.