Franklin P. Adams

Here you will find the Poem On the Uses of Adversity of poet Franklin P. Adams

On the Uses of Adversity

"Nam nihil est, quod non mortalibus afferat usum."

--PETRONIUS


Nothing there is that mortal man may utterly despise;
What in our wealth we treasured, in our poverty we prize.

The gold upon a sinking ship has often wrecked the boat,
While on a simple oar a shipwrecked man may keep afloat.

The burglar seeks the plutocrat, attracted by his dress--
The poor man finds his poverty the true preparedness.