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.

Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it.

Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a
man's character, give him power.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a
man's character, give him power.

A wise man struggling with adversity is said by some heathen
writer to be a spectacle on which the read more

A wise man struggling with adversity is said by some heathen
writer to be a spectacle on which the gods might look down with
pleasure.

Is made more sacred by adversity.

Is made more sacred by adversity.

. . . it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

. . . it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture.

Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture.

Then know, that I have little wealth to lose.
A man I am, crossed with adversity;
My read more

Then know, that I have little wealth to lose.
A man I am, crossed with adversity;
My riches are these poor habiliments,
Of which if you should here disfurnish me,
You take the sum and substance that I have.

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity,
For wise men say it is the wisest course.

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity,
For wise men say it is the wisest course.