EVILS have their comfort, good none can support with a moderate and contented heart

Insights

The Paradox of Fortune

The proverb posits a fundamental paradox of human experience: adversity, while painful, often brings clarity, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for life, which are forms of 'comfort'. Prosperity, conversely, tends to breed anxiety, insatiability, and a loss of inner peace.

The Corrupting Nature of Success

It serves as a moral warning about the corrupting influence of success. 'Good' fortune tests one's humility and moderation, a test the proverb claims is universally failed, leading to moral and emotional imbalance.

Adversity as a Test of Character

The proverb contrasts the effects of external circumstances on inner character. 'Evils' forge self-awareness and strength, while 'good' fortune leads to a loss of self-control and contentment, suggesting true character is revealed not in triumph but in hardship.

Philosophical Roots

The proverb reflects a Stoic or Puritanical worldview, where adversity is seen as a crucible for character, offering the 'comfort' of self-knowledge and resilience. Prosperity, in contrast, is viewed as a corrupting force that breeds arrogance and spiritual decay, making true contentment impossible.

Psychology of Contentment

This proverb captures the psychological phenomenon known as the 'hedonic treadmill', where good fortune fails to provide lasting happiness because individuals quickly adapt and desire more. The 'comfort' of evil, conversely, lies in the stripping away of anxieties related to status and ambition, forcing a return to fundamental values.

Critique of Human Nature

Cross-referenced with 'Prosperity lets go the bridle', the proverb serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of unchecked success. It suggests that human nature is more easily humbled by hardship than it is disciplined by abundance, making moderation a rare virtue in times of good fortune.

Rhetorical Devices

Antithesis

The proverb is built on a stark antithesis between 'evils' and 'good', creating a powerful and memorable paradox that challenges conventional assumptions about fortune and misfortune.

Paradox

The opening clause, 'EVILS have their comfort', is a striking paradox that immediately engages the reader and signals a deeper, counter-intuitive meaning.

Hyperbole

The use of the absolute term 'none' is a form of hyperbole that emphasizes the supposed universality of prosperity's corrupting influence, making the warning more stark and impactful.