quotations about necessity
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
Now sit we close about this taper here,
And call in question our necessities.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Julius Caesar
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
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
Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation.
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
The Will to Power
Necessity dispenseth with decorum.
THOMAS FULLER
Gnomologia
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
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 seeks bread where it is to be found.
SALIS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Soul of the world, divine Necessity,
Servant of God, and master of all things.
PHILIP JAMES BAILEY
Festus
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
Necessity often has a brow of despair.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Necessity does the work of courage.
GEORGE ELIOT
Romola
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
I hold that mortal foolish who strives against the stress of necessity.
EURIPIDES
Hercules Furens
Necessity -- thou best of peacemakers,
As well as surest prompter of invention.
WALTER SCOTT
Peveril of the Peak
Necessity is a sore penance; and extremity is as hard to bear as death.
CANTACUZENUS
attributed, Day's Collacon