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.

Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.

Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.

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.

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious read more

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;
And this our life, exempt from human haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to read more

In all distresses of our friends
We first consult our private ends;
While Nature, kindly bent to ease us,
Points out some circumstance to please us.

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

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

Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.

Prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.

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.

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.