I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains

I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains

No, misery makes sport to mock itself.

No, misery makes sport to mock itself.

There are a good many real miseries in life that we cannot help smiling at, but they are the smiles read more

There are a good many real miseries in life that we cannot help smiling at, but they are the smiles that make wrinkles and not dimples.

He that is down need fear no fall.

He that is down need fear no fall.

People talk about the courage of condemned men walking to the place of execution: sometimes it needs as much courage read more

People talk about the courage of condemned men walking to the place of execution: sometimes it needs as much courage to walk with any kind of bearing towards another person's habitual misery.

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of read more

The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.

And bear about the mockery of woe
To midnight dances and the public show.

And bear about the mockery of woe
To midnight dances and the public show.

Meagre were his looks,
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones;
And in his needy shop read more

Meagre were his looks,
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones;
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuffed, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves
A beggarly account of boxes,
Green earthen pots, bladders, and musty seeds,
Remnants of packthread, and old cakes of roses
Were thinly scattered, to make up a show.

Fire tries gold, misery tries brave men.
[Lat., Ignis aurum probat, misera fortes viros.]

Fire tries gold, misery tries brave men.
[Lat., Ignis aurum probat, misera fortes viros.]