Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
read more

Thou art a soul in bliss; but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears
Do scald me like molten lead.

When something [an affliction] happens to you, you either let it defeat you, or you defeat it.

When something [an affliction] happens to you, you either let it defeat you, or you defeat it.

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.

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

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

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.]

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!

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.

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.