Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.

Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can
stand prosperity, there are a hundred read more

Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can
stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.

The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be read more

The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.

diamonds shine more brightly foiled by black velvet.

diamonds shine more brightly foiled by black velvet.

Aromatic plants bestow
No spicy fragrance while they grow;
But crush'd or trodden to the ground,
read more

Aromatic plants bestow
No spicy fragrance while they grow;
But crush'd or trodden to the ground,
Diffuse their balmy sweets around.

And these vicissitudes come best in youth;
For when they happen at a riper age,
People are read more

And these vicissitudes come best in youth;
For when they happen at a riper age,
People are apt to blame the Fates, forsooth,
And wonder Providence is not more sage.
Adversity is the first path to truth:
He who hath proved war, storm, or woman's rage,
Whether his winters be eighteen or eighty,
Has won experience which is deem'd so weighty.