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.

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember

Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it.

Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it.

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.

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.

Beware of the friend who was once your foe.

Beware of the friend who was once your foe.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

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.

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.