What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.

What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.

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.

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.

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.

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would read more

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own.

Prosperity getteth friends, but adversity trieth them ...

Prosperity getteth friends, but adversity trieth them ...

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

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

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