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

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

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.

Adversity makes a man wise, not rich ...

Adversity makes a man wise, not rich ...

Behold a worthy sight, to which the God, turning his attention to
his own work, may direct his gaze. read more

Behold a worthy sight, to which the God, turning his attention to
his own work, may direct his gaze. Behold an equal thing, worthy
of a God, a brave man matched in conflict with evil fortune.
[Lat., Ecce spectaculum dignum, ad quod respiciat intentus operi
suo Deus. Ecce par Deo dignum, vir fortis cum mala fortuna
compositus.]

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember

We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right.

We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right.

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 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.

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.