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

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

Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen,
Fallen from his high estate,
And welt'ring in his blood;
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Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen,
Fallen from his high estate,
And welt'ring in his blood;
Deserted at his utmost need,
By those his former bounty fed;
On the bare earth expos'd he lies,
With not a friend to close his eyes.

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above read more

Great minds have purposes, others have wishes. Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.

Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.

As if Misfortune made the Throne her Seat,
And none could be unhappy but the Great.

As if Misfortune made the Throne her Seat,
And none could be unhappy but the Great.

Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies

Misfortune tests friends, and detects enemies

Rashness brings success to few, misfortune to many.
[Lat., Paucis temeritas est bono, multis malo.]

Rashness brings success to few, misfortune to many.
[Lat., Paucis temeritas est bono, multis malo.]

A great fortune in the hands of a fool is a great misfortune.

A great fortune in the hands of a fool is a great misfortune.

It has been my misfortune to be engaged in more battles than any other general on the other side of read more

It has been my misfortune to be engaged in more battles than any other general on the other side of the Atlantic; but there was never a time during my command when I would not have chosen some settlement by reason rather than the sword.