If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did…

Quote byAnne Bradstreet · 1612–1672

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Meditations Divine and Moral (1664), 14..

English (original)

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

— Anne Bradstreet

Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime, Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime.

What to my Saviour shall I give Who freely hath done this for me? I'll serve him here whilst I shall live And Loue him to Eternity

A Spring returns, and they more youthful made; But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid.

"Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on Nothing but Meditation?

If for thy Father askt, say, thou hadst none; And for thy Mother, she alas is poor, Which caus'd her thus to send thee out of door.

Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire, Fly back and sing amidst this choir.