Though all afflictions are evils in themselves, yet they are good for us, because they discover to us our disease read more

Though all afflictions are evils in themselves, yet they are good for us, because they discover to us our disease and tend to our cure.

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.

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

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

As threshing separates the wheat from the chaff, so does affliction purify virtue.

As threshing separates the wheat from the chaff, so does affliction purify virtue.

Affliction is not sent in vain, young man,
From that good God, who chastens whom he loves.

Affliction is not sent in vain, young man,
From that good God, who chastens whom he loves.

Humanity either makes, or breeds, or tolerates all its afflictions.

Humanity either makes, or breeds, or tolerates all its afflictions.

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.

To bear other people's afflictions, everyone has courage and enough to spare.

To bear other people's afflictions, everyone has courage and enough to spare.

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!