The art of our necessities is strange, That can make vile things precious.

The art of our necessities is strange, That can make vile things precious.

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.]

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.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

Nothing has more strength than dire 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.

Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.

Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.

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 never made a good bargain

Necessity never made a good bargain

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]

It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.
[It., Necessita c'induce, e non diletto.]