We ought to give thanks for all fortune: it is is good, because it is good, if bad, because it read more

We ought to give thanks for all fortune: it is is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country

Neuer thinke you fortune can beare the sway,
Where Virtue's force, can cause her to obay.

Neuer thinke you fortune can beare the sway,
Where Virtue's force, can cause her to obay.

Any one who is prosperous may by the turn of fortune's wheel
become most wretched before evening.
[Lat., read more

Any one who is prosperous may by the turn of fortune's wheel
become most wretched before evening.
[Lat., Quivis beatus, versa rota fortunae, ante vesperum potest
esse miserrimus.]

Fortune, the great commandress of the world,
Hath divers ways to advance her followers:
To some she read more

Fortune, the great commandress of the world,
Hath divers ways to advance her followers:
To some she gives honor without deserving;
To other some, deserving without honor;
Some wit, some wealth,--and some, wit without wealth;
Some wealth without wit; some nor wit nor wealth.

Fortune makes a fool of those she favors too much.

Fortune makes a fool of those she favors too much.

When Fortune smiles, I smile to think how quickly she will frown.

When Fortune smiles, I smile to think how quickly she will frown.

Just for a handful of silver he left us,
Just for a ribbon to stick in his coat;
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Just for a handful of silver he left us,
Just for a ribbon to stick in his coat;
Found the one gift of which Fortune bereft us,
Lost all the others she lets us devote.

The day of fortune is like a harvest day,
We must be busy when the corn is ripe.
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The day of fortune is like a harvest day,
We must be busy when the corn is ripe.
[Ger., Ein tag der Gunst ist wie ein Tag der Ernte,
Man muss geschaftig sein sobald sie reift.]

Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door.

Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door.