Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.

Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.

With silence only as their benediction,
God's angels come
Where in the shadow of a great affliction,
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With silence only as their benediction,
God's angels come
Where in the shadow of a great affliction,
The soul sits dumb!

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

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

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

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.'

I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.

I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.

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.

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.]

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

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