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.

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.]

Let fortune empty her whole quiver on me.
I have a soul that, like an ample shield,
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Let fortune empty her whole quiver on me.
I have a soul that, like an ample shield,
Can take in all, and verge enough for more.

To be fortunate is God, and more than God to mortals.

To be fortunate is God, and more than God to mortals.

Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a read more

Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune.

Happiness consists more in the small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune read more

Happiness consists more in the small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life.

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

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

Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door.

Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door.

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.