Without death and decay, how could life go on?

Without death and decay, how could life go on?

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.]

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.

If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.

If people should ever start to do only what is necessary millions would die of hunger.

Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.
[Lat., Efficacior omni arte imminens necessitas.]

Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.
[Lat., Efficacior omni arte imminens necessitas.]

Necessity is the mother of "taking chances"

Necessity is the mother of "taking chances"

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.

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.