No one could be more happy than a man who has never known affliction

No one could be more happy than a man who has never known affliction

Now let us thank th' eternal power, convinc'd
That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction:
That read more

Now let us thank th' eternal power, convinc'd
That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction:
That oft the cloud which wraps the present hour,
Serves but to brighten our future days!

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

Affliction comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.

Affliction comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.

Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.

Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.

Affliction is the good man's shining scene;
Prosperity conceals his brightest ray;
As night to stars, woe read more

Affliction is the good man's shining scene;
Prosperity conceals his brightest ray;
As night to stars, woe lustre gives to man.

With silence only as their benediction,
God's angels come
Where in the shadow of a great affliction,
read more

With silence only as their benediction,
God's angels come
Where in the shadow of a great affliction,
The soul sits dumb!

Afflictions sent by providence melt the constancy of the noble minded, but confirm the obduracy of the vile, as the read more

Afflictions sent by providence melt the constancy of the noble minded, but confirm the obduracy of the vile, as the same furnace that liquefies the gold, hardens the clay

What region of the earth is not full of our calamities?
[Lat., Quae regio in terris nostri non plena read more

What region of the earth is not full of our calamities?
[Lat., Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris.]