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!

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.]

Necessity is stronger far than art.

Necessity is stronger far than art.

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

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.

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.]

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.

Necessity is the author of change

Necessity is the author of change

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.

Necessity knows no law except to conquer.