The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
read more

The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
Oft gives our life its after-tinge.
The trifles of our daily lives,
The common things, scarce worth recall,
Whereof no visible trace survives,
These are the mainsprings after all.

Odd instances of strange coincidence.

Odd instances of strange coincidence.

It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.

It is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.

Epicureans, that ascribed the origin and frame of the world not
to the power of God, but to the read more

Epicureans, that ascribed the origin and frame of the world not
to the power of God, but to the fortuitous concourse of atoms.

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and
convenience of our lives.

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and
convenience of our lives.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.

And circumstance, that unspiritual god,
And miscreator, makes and helps along
Our coming evils, with a critch-like read more

And circumstance, that unspiritual god,
And miscreator, makes and helps along
Our coming evils, with a critch-like rod,
Whose touch turns hope to dust--the dust we all have trod.

Circumstances beyond my individual control.

Circumstances beyond my individual control.

Condition, circumstance, is not the thing;
Bliss is the same in subject or in king.

Condition, circumstance, is not the thing;
Bliss is the same in subject or in king.