We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
The hardest struggle of all is to be something different from what the average man is.
—Charles M. Schwab (1862–1939) American Businessperson
Prosperity is too apt to prevent us from examining our conduct, but adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
There will be no crown bearers in heaven who are not cross bearers on earth.
—Unknown
Every calamity is a spur and valuable hint.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We find comfort among those who agree with us—growth among those who don’t.
—Frank A. Clark
Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.
—Ingrid Bergman (1915–82) Swedish Actor
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.
—Latin Proverb
We look before and after,
And pine for what is not;
Our sincerest laughter
With some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) English Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist
If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
—Indian Proverb
The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Those things that hurt, instruct.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Poverty, frost, famine, rain, disease, are the beadles and guardsmen that hold us to common sense.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity still in the cloud, the oil still in the earth. How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
Strong men greet war, tempest, hard times. They wish, as Pindar said, to tread the floors of hell, with necessities as hard as iron.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
There is a great deal of unmapped country within us which would have to be taken into account in an explanation of our gusts and storms.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
If your knees are knocking, kneel on them.
—Unknown
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
Prosperity has this property: It puffs up narrow souls, makes them imagine themselves high and mighty, and leads them to look down upon the world with contempt; but a truly noble spirit appears greatest in distress; and then becomes more bright and conspicuous.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
The good things that belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The same wind that extinguishes a light can set a brazier on fire.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Fugitive, Revolutionary
When things are bad we take a bit of comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
I had to pick myself up and get on with it, do it all over again, only even better this time.
—Sam Walton (1918–92) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Sleep, riches, and health, to be truly enjoyed, must be interrupted.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Genuine morality is preserved only in the school of adversity; a state of continuous prosperity may easily prove a quicksand to virtue.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
True hope dwells on the possible, even when life seems to be a plot written by someone who wants to see how much adversity we can overcome True hope responds to the real world, to real life; it is an active effort
—Walter Anderson
Convert difficulties into opportunities, for difficulties are divine surgeries to make you better.
—Unknown
Men grow tired of sleep, love, singing and dancing sooner than of war.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them.
—Bernard M. Baruch (1870–1965) American Financier, Economic Consultant
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
When life takes the wind out of your sails, it is to test you at the oars.
—Robert Brault
Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character – give him power.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Your dips an falls do not confound me, half as much as your heights astound me.
—Unknown
Men strive for peace, but it is their enemies that give them strength, and I think if man no longer had enemies, he would have to invent them, for his strength only grows from struggle.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like a toad, though ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in its head.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed than one in adversity.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
I was lucky I wasn’t a better boxer, or that’s what I’d be now – a punchy ex-pug.
—Bob Hope (1903–2003) British-born American Comedian
Turn your wounds into wisdom.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
If your house is on fire, warm yourself by it.
—Spanish Proverb
Nothing bad ever happens without equal or growth
—Indian Proverb
No man better knows what good is than he who has endured evil.
—Unknown
Tragedy is restful: and the reason is that hope, that foul, deceitful thing, has no part in it.
—Jean Anouilh (1910–87) French Dramatist
Necessity is often the spur to genius.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
A problem is a chance for you to do your best.
—Duke Ellington (1899–1974) American Jazz Pianist, Composer, Bandleader
God gave burdens, also shoulders.
—Yiddish Proverb
In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author