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No man past the middle point of life can sit down to feast upon the pleasures of youth without finding the banquet embittered by the cup of sorrow; he may revive lucky accidents, and pleasing extravagancies; many days of harmless frolick, or nights of honest festivity, will perhaps recur; or, if he has been engaged in scenes of action, and acquainted with affairs of difficulty and vicissitudes of fortune, he may enjoy the nobler pleasure of looking back upon distress firmly supported, dangers resolutely encountered, and opposition artfully defeated.

Where these words come from

How sure this is
95% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up
The Rambler, No. 203 (25 February 1752); Exact wording and attribution checked. Essay on recollection, anticipation, aging, and hopes of lasting fame.
Work
The Rambler, No. 203 (25 February 1752)
Sources checked
  • gutenberg.orgChecked using manual, 21 October 2026The Rambler, No. 203 (25 February 1752); Exact wording and attribution checked. Essay on recollection, anticipation, aging, and hopes of lasting fame.

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