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!

Afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate.

Afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate.

Believe me, the gods spare the afflicted, and do not always
oppress those who are unfortunate.
[Lat., Crede read more

Believe me, the gods spare the afflicted, and do not always
oppress those who are unfortunate.
[Lat., Crede mihi, miseris coelestia numina parcunt;
Nec semper laesos, et sine fine, premunt.]

I know of no man of genius who had not to pay, in some affliction or defect either physical or read more

I know of no man of genius who had not to pay, in some affliction or defect either physical or spiritual, for what the gods had given him.

If I didn't have this affliction, I would be the first. As a rule the if-clause contains an unfulfillable condition, read more

If I didn't have this affliction, I would be the first. As a rule the if-clause contains an unfulfillable condition, or the patient's own arrangement, which only he can change.

Affliction is enamoured of thy parts,
And thou art wedded to calamity.

Affliction is enamoured of thy parts,
And thou art wedded to calamity.

By afflictions God is spoiling us of what otherwise might have spoiled us. When he makes the world too hot read more

By afflictions God is spoiling us of what otherwise might have spoiled us. When he makes the world too hot for us to hold, we let it go.

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