quotations about necessity
Stern is the on-look of necessity. Not without a shudder may the hand of man grasp the mysterious urn of destiny.
FRIEDRICH SCHILLER
The Death of Wallenstein
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Julius Caesar
We cannot conquer fate and necessity, yet we can yield to them in such a manner as to be greater than if we could.
WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR
Imaginary Conversations
No picture of life can have any veracity that does not admit the odious facts. A man's power is hooped in by necessity, which by many experiments, he touches on every side, until he learns its arc.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
The Conduct of Life
From blind physical necessity, which is always and everywhere the same, no variety adhering to time and place could evolve, and all variety of created objects which represent order and life in the universe could happen only by the willful reasoning of its original Creator, Whom I call the Lord God.
ISAAC NEWTON
attributed, Our Humanist Heritage
Necessity seeks bread where it is to be found.
SALIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
A grand necessity elevates man; a small one degrades him.
L. J. NIVERNAIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
As for "necessity" not based on reason but on pleasure, he declared that it was a sign of a spirit that was extinguished.
THOMAS OF CELANO
The Life of Saint Francis
When we are incapable of recognizing the laws of necessity, we believe ourselves to be free.
LUDWIG BÖME
attributed, Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists
Necessity imposes law, but does not herself receive it.
PUBLIUS SYRUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Necessity dispenseth with decorum.
THOMAS FULLER
Gnomologia
Necessity often has a brow of despair.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
I don't think necessity is the mother of invention -- invention, in my opinion, arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness. To save oneself trouble.
AGATHA CHRISTIE
An Autobiography
Soul of the world, divine Necessity,
Servant of God, and master of all things.
PHILIP JAMES BAILEY
Festus
Necessity does the work of courage.
GEORGE ELIOT
Romola
I hold that mortal foolish who strives against the stress of necessity.
EURIPIDES
Hercules Furens
Necessity is a strong rider with sharp spurs, who maketh the sorry jade do that which the strongest horse sometimes will not do.
CALANUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Even the gods are unable to contend against necessity.
SIMONIDES
attributed, Day's Collacon
Constant and exclusive devotion to mere physical necessities, degrades man to the rank of an animal.
FELICITE ROBERT DE LAMENNAIS
The People's Own Book
Necessity sharpens industry.
A. L. LAVOISIER
attributed, Day's Collacon