My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have read more

My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have given:
And trod the mountain height,
Where Science, young and bright,
Scans with poetic gaze the midnight-heaven.
Yet have I found no power to vie
With thine, severe necessity!

Learn on how little man may live, and how small a portion nature
requires.
[Lat., Discite quam parvo read more

Learn on how little man may live, and how small a portion nature
requires.
[Lat., Discite quam parvo liceat producere vitam,
Et quantum natura petat.]

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.

Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like read more

Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger;
And danger, like an ague, subtly taints
Even then when we sit idly in the sun.

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the read more

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

Necessity is the mother of invention, it is true, but its father is creativity, and knowledge is the midwife

Necessity is the mother of invention, it is true, but its father is creativity, and knowledge is the midwife

It is surprising what a man can do when he has to, and how little most men will do when read more

It is surprising what a man can do when he has to, and how little most men will do when they don't have to.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To read more

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Necessity's sharp pinch.