It is a great evil, as well as a misfortune, to be unable to utter a prompt and decided 'no'.

It is a great evil, as well as a misfortune, to be unable to utter a prompt and decided 'no'.

We want to create a sort of linguistic Lourdes, where evil and misfortune are dispelled by a dip in the waters of euphemism

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some

Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Oh, what a misfortune is mine, cried Bradley, breaking off to wipe the starting perspiration from his face as he shook from head to foot, "that I cannot so control myself as to appear a stronger creature than this, when a man who has not felt in all his life what I have felt in a day can so command himself!" He said it in a very agony, and even followed it with an errant motion of his hands as if he could have torn himself.