Inscribe all human effort with one word, artistry's haunting curse, the Incomplete!

Then welcome each rebuff That turns earth's smoothness rough, Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand, but go! Be our joys three-parts pain! Strive, and hold cheap the strain; Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!

Tis looking downward makes one dizzy.

For life, with all its yields of joy and woe Is just a chance o' the prize of learning love.

Success in marriage is more than finding the right person: it is being the right person.

Each life unfulfilled, you see; It hangs still, patchy and scrappy: We have not sighed deep, laughed free, Starved, feasted, despaired,—been happy.

Who knows most, doubts most.