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!

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.

Everywhere the human soul stands between a hemisphere of light and another of darkness; on the confines of the two read more

Everywhere the human soul stands between a hemisphere of light and another of darkness; on the confines of the two everlasting empires, necessity and free will.

We do what we must, and call it by the best names.

We do what we must, and call it by the best names.

Men try to run life according to their wishes; life runs itself according to necessity.

Men try to run life according to their wishes; life runs itself according to necessity.

Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

Our necessities are few but our wants are endless.

Our necessities are few but our wants are endless.

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary
necessities, are the greatest cozenage men can put upon the
Providence read more

Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary
necessities, are the greatest cozenage men can put upon the
Providence of God, and make pretences to break known rules by.

He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.
[Lat., Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.]

He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.
[Lat., Qui e nuce nucleum esse vult, frangat nucem.]