If you haven't learned it by now, talent's a cruel mistress.

"But she can also be a cruel mistress."

Sometimes, she thought, command is the cruelest mistress of all.

He cares about his cruel mistress and is able to calm her during her periodic nightmares.

They came sadly enough, knowing they were in serious straits and at the mercy of a cruel mistress.

Mai is employed by Mrs. Hoa, the cruel mistress of a great house.

The lake, as we used to joke on those rough days when the chop seared over the bows, can be a cruel mistress.

She was hard and imperious with the animals, squandering no love, running about amongst them like a cruel mistress.

Addiction's a cruel mistress, as the poets say, but the reality is far harsher than sad, tragic, romantic words.

Turns out fate is a cruel mistress, and I didn't need to fake anything.