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!

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

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 a violent school-mistress.
[Fr., C'est une violente maistresse d'eschole que la necessite.]

Necessity is a violent school-mistress.
[Fr., C'est une violente maistresse d'eschole que la necessite.]

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.

It is in these useless and superfluous things that I am rich and
happy.

It is in these useless and superfluous things that I am rich and
happy.

Necessity--thou best of peacemakers,
As well as surest prompter of invention.

Necessity--thou best of peacemakers,
As well as surest prompter of invention.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

To make necessity a virtue (a virtue of necessity).
[Lat., Necessitatem in virtutem commutarum.]

To make necessity a virtue (a virtue of necessity).
[Lat., Necessitatem in virtutem commutarum.]