Abraham Cowley Quotes

It is essential to make oneself used to putting up with a little. Even the wealthy and the well provided are continually met and frustrated by difficult times and situations. It is in no man's power to have whatever he wants; but he has it in his power not to wish for what he hasn't got, and cheerfully make the most of the things that do come his way.

If things don't go fantastically, you just have to deal with it.

I learned, when hit by loss, to ask the right question: "What next?" instead of "Why me?" . . . Whenever I am willing to ask "What is necessary next?" I have moved ahead. Whenever I have taken no for a final answer I have stalled and gotten stuck.

Take what is offered and that must sometimes be enough.

It is easier to make our wishes conform to our means than to make our means conform to our wishes.

In the opening to the Mary Tyler Moore Show Mary's in the supermarket, hurrying through the aisles. She pauses at the meat case, picks up a steak and checks the price. Then rolls her eyes, shrugs and tosses it in the cart. That's kind of how I feel. Sure I would have liked things to be different. But, 'roll of eyes' what can you do? 'shrug' I threw the meat in my cart and moved on.

When your way doesn't work, don't be disheartened. You must be willing to try another way. A closed door doesn't mean you have been cut off permanently. It is a challenge, an obstacle, a tool to be used.

if I can't get what I want - well, I'll want what I can get.

I am not so foolish as to murmur, if now, since I have drunk up my wine and beer, I have to put up with skimmed milk and sour.

Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work though difficult problems.

The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much.

If by chance people would still offer me roles, I'd still like to do them. But if not, that's OK.

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.

I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended and patient when there be no redress.

Whatever life throws at me I'll take it and be grateful for it as well.

Sometimes when you're given hurdles, it makes you more creative in the end.

Nature deals the cards without thought or care, and there is no point in blaming the dealer. All we can do is make the best of the hands we have been dealt.

Has fortune dealt you some bad cards. Then let wisdom make you a good gamester.

There have been setbacks, illnesses and other obstacles, so inevitably I've had disappointments. But once you realise that things can't always go your own way, you're on the right track to being able to handle your own life.

Maybe I'm just purely lucky. If I've come up against obstacles I've always found another way around it.

I would think about the outcome. Visualize sometimes. Because it never comes out the way you want it to. Fight the way I know how to fight. Whatever comes up, comes up.

If fortune favors you do not be elated; if she frowns do not despond.

I keep living life as it's dealt to me. Sometimes, it's not dealt 100 percent. Sometimes it's dealt on the low '30s.

Life presents itself in constantly changing ways, but you're able to accept the challenges, rather than recoil, throw up your hands, and go on a binge.

Don't struggle to get what you want, but modify your wants.