He that has never known adversity is but half acquainted with others or himself.

It is not affliction itself, but affliction rightly borne, that does us good.

The wisdom of God appears in afflictions. By these He separates the sin which He hates, from the son whom He loves. By these thorns He keeps him from breaking over into Satan's pleasant pastures, which fatten him indeed, but only to the slaughter.

Nothing is eternal but that which is done for God and others. That which is done for self dies.

God strikes not as an enemy, to destroy; but as a father, to correct.

The most generous and merciful in judgment upon the faults of others are always the most free from faults themselves.

God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them.