Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed read more

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

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.]

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.]

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.

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.

Necessity is stronger far than art.

Necessity is stronger far than art.

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

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.