quotations about necessity
Necessity of action takes away the fear of the act, and makes bold resolution the favorite of fortune.
FRANCIS QUARLES
Enchiridion
Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation.
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
The Will to Power
Oh! marvellous, O stupendous Necessity -- by thy laws thou dost compel every effect to be the direct result of its cause, by the shortest path. These are miracles.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
Notebooks
Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities, imaginary necessities ... are the greatest cozenage that men can put upon the Providence of God, and make pretences to break known rules by.
OLIVER CROMWELL
speech to Parliament, September 12, 1654
Necessity dispenseth with decorum.
THOMAS FULLER
Gnomologia
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Julius Caesar
Necessity often has a brow of despair.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Whatever sorrows may be thy doom, bear them with patience, if necessity entail them.
HOMER
attributed, Day's Collacon
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
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
A grand necessity elevates man; a small one degrades him.
L. J. NIVERNAIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Necessity when threatening is more powerful than device of man.
QUINTUS CURTIUS RUFUS
De Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni
Necessity -- thou best of peacemakers,
As well as surest prompter of invention.
WALTER SCOTT
Peveril of the Peak
Necessity does the work of courage.
GEORGE ELIOT
Romola
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
You fight when the necessity arises -- no matter the mood! Mood's a thing for cattle or making love or playing the baliset. It's not for fighting.
FRANK HERBERT
Dune
Necessity imposes law, but does not herself receive it.
PUBLIUS SYRUS
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 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
When God will educate a man, he compels him to learn bitter lessons; He sends him to school to the necessities rather than to the graces, that by knowing all suffering he may know also the eternal consolations.
CELIA BURLEIGH
attributed, Holy Thoughts on Holy Things