Misfortune seldom intrudes upon the wise man; his greatest and highest interests are directed by reason throughout the course of life.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
My fortune somewhat resembled that of a person who should entertain an idea of committing suicide, and, altogether beyond his hopes, meet with the good hap to be murdered.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Rashness is the faithful but unhappy parent of misfortune.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Life itself is short, but lasts longer than misfortunes.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
There is something in the misfortune of our best friends which does not displease us.
—French Proverb
All of my misfortunes come from having thought too well of my fellows.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Depend upon it, that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him: for where there is nothing but pure misery, there never is any mention of it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It is wrong to think that misfortunes come from the east or from the west; they originate within one’s own mind. Therefore, it is foolish to guard against misfortunes from the external world and leave the inner mind uncontrolled.
—Buddhist Teaching
A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
Misfortunes tell us what fortune is.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
When the tide of misfortune moves over you, even jelly will break your teeth
—Common Proverb
Prosperity is the measure or touchstone of virtue, for it is less difficult to bear misfortune than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
When the tide of misfortune moves over you, even jelly will break your teeth
—Persian Proverb
There is always something infinitely mean about other people’s tragedies.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
Misfortune does not always result in harm.
—Italian Proverb
Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
An accident is an inevitable occurrence due to the actions of immutable natural laws.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
People will ignore their misfortunes and their interests when they are in competition with their pleasures.
—French Proverb
Misfortune is never mournful to the soul that accepts it; for such do always see that every cloud is an angel’s face. Every man deems that he has precisely the trials and temptations which are the hardest of all others for him to bear; but they are so, simply because they are the very ones he most needs.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
The unhappy derive comfort from the misfortunes of others.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
There is no greater misfortune, than to not be able to endure misfortune.
—Common Proverb
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