There is nothing so wretched or foolish as to anticipate
misfortunes. What madness it is in your expecting evil read more

There is nothing so wretched or foolish as to anticipate
misfortunes. What madness it is in your expecting evil before it
arrives!
[Lat., Nil est nec miserius nec stultius quam praetimere. Quae
ista dementia est, malum suum antecedere!]

Fortune knocks but once, but misfortune has much more patience.

Fortune knocks but once, but misfortune has much more patience.

Calamity is man's true touch-stone.
- Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher,

Calamity is man's true touch-stone.
- Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher,

By speaking of our misfortunes we often relieve them.
[Fr., A raconter ses maux souvent on les soulage.]

By speaking of our misfortunes we often relieve them.
[Fr., A raconter ses maux souvent on les soulage.]

Man's great misfortune is that he has no organ, no kind of eyelid or brake, to mask or block a read more

Man's great misfortune is that he has no organ, no kind of eyelid or brake, to mask or block a thought, or all thought, when he wants to

Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd.

Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd.

When Misfortune is asleep, let no one wake her.
[Lat., Quando la mala ventura se duerme, nadie la despierte.]

When Misfortune is asleep, let no one wake her.
[Lat., Quando la mala ventura se duerme, nadie la despierte.]

Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies

Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies

But strong of limb
And swift of foot misfortune is, and, far
Outstripping all, comes to every read more

But strong of limb
And swift of foot misfortune is, and, far
Outstripping all, comes to every land,
And there wreaks evil on mankind, which prayers
Do afterwards redress.