Ambition

Ambition is an idol, on whose wings
Great minds are carried only to extreme;
To be sublimely great or to be nothing. Southey
O cursed ambition, thou devouring bird,

Age

Age sits with decent grace upon his visage,
And worthily becomes his silver locks;
He bears the marks of many years well spent,

Affections

Of all the tyrants the world affords,
Our own affections are the fiercest lords. Earl of Sterling
O you much partial gods!
Why gave ye men affections, and not power
To govern them? Ludovick Barry
Nothing can occur beyond the strength of faith to sustain, or transcending the resources of religion, to relieve. Binney

Affection

Fathers alone a father’s heart can know
What secret tides of still enjoyment flow
When brothers love, but if their hate succeeds,
They wage the war, but ‘tis the father bleeds. Young

Adversity

Adversity borrows its sharpest sting from our impatience. Bishop Horne
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant. Horace

Acuteness

The keen spirit
Seizes the prompt occasion – makes the thought
Start into instant action, and at once
Plans and performs, resolves and executes.  Hannah Moore
A man who knows the world will not only make the most of everything he does know, but of many things that he does not know; and will gain more credit for his [...]