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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

With silence only as their benediction,
God's angels come
Where in the shadow of a great affliction,
read more

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

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.

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

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

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.