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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Henceforth, I'll bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself,
'Enough, enough, and die.'

Henceforth, I'll bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself,
'Enough, enough, and die.'

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

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