A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry.
But were read more

A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry.
But were we burd'ned with like weight of pain,
As much or more we should ourselves complain:
So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,
With urging helpless patience wouldst relieve me;
But if thou live to see like right bereft,
This fool-begged patience in thee will be left.

Thou tamer of the human breast,
Whose iron scourge and tort'ring hour
The bad affright, afflict the read more

Thou tamer of the human breast,
Whose iron scourge and tort'ring hour
The bad affright, afflict the best!

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.

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

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

Adversity is the first path to truth.

Adversity is the first path to truth.

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity--another man's I mean.

By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity--another man's I mean.

The Good are better made by Ill,
As odours crushed are sweeter still.

The Good are better made by Ill,
As odours crushed are sweeter still.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.

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.