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Adversity: Quotations from Shakespearian Quotations

A man I am, cross'd with adversity. But myself, Who had the world as my confectionary; The mouths, the tongues, the eyes, the hearts of men At duty, more than I could frame employment; That numberless upon me stuck, as leaves Do on the oak, have with one winter's brush Fell from their boughs, and left me open, bare, For every storm that blows; I, to bear this,— T. A. iv. 3

That never knew but better, is some burden. T. A. iv. 3 Such a house broke! So noble a master fallen! All gone! and not One friend to take his fortune by the arm,— T. A. iv. 2

And go along with him!

Folly Of Repining At

What think'st That the bleak air, thy boisterous chamberlain, Will put thy shirt on warm? Will these moist trees, That have out-lived the eagle, page thy heels, And skip when thou point'st out? will the cold brook, Candied with ice, caudle thy morning taste, To cure thy o'er-night's surfeit? Call the creatures; Whose naked natures live in all the spight Of wreakful heaven; whose bare unhoused trunks, To the conflicting elements expos'd,— T. A. iv. 3.

Answer mere nature,-bid them flatter thee.

Its Uses

Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, ugly and venemous,— A. Y. ii. 1

Wears yet a precious jewel in its head. 'Tis good for men to love their present pains, Upon example; so the spirit is eas'd: And, when the mind is quicken'd, out of doubt, The organs, though defunct and dead before, Break up their drowsy grave, and newly move With casted slough, and fresh legerity.— H. V. ii. 1

In poison there is physic; and these news Having been well, that would have made me sick; Being sick, have in some measure made me well. And as the wretch whose fever-weaken'd joints, Like strengthless hinges, buckle under life, Impatient of his fit, breaks like a fire. Cut of his keeper's arms; even so my limbs, Weaken'd with grief, being now enrag'd with grief, Are thrice themselves.— H. IV. PT. II. 1. 1