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.

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!

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

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

The afflictions to which we are accustomed, do not disturb us.

The afflictions to which we are accustomed, do not disturb us.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.