Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that read more

Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that we may not eschu,
And namely that that to us alle is due.

The chalice is ephemeral.
Jesus' blood eternal.

The chalice is ephemeral.
Jesus' blood eternal.

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.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

Our necessities are few but our wants are endless.

Our necessities are few but our wants are endless.

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.

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.
[Lat., Necessitas ultimum et maximum telum est.]

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.
[Lat., Necessitas ultimum et maximum telum est.]

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.