We are always in the forge, or on the anvil by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them, the more of them we will see. Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles.
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man.
Kites rise against, not with the wind.
No man ever worked his passage anywhere in a dead calm.
—John Neal (1793–1876) American Editor, Poet, Novelist, Critic
Adversity makes men; good fortune makes monsters.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
A smooth sea never made a skilful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify for usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like those of the ocean, rouse the faculties, and excite the invention, prudence, skill, and fortitude of the voyager. The martyrs of ancient times, in bracing their minds to outward calamities, acquired a loftiness of purpose and a moral heroism worth a lifetime of softness and security.
—Anonymous
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.
—Earl Warren (1891–1974) American Judge, Politician
To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Time and tide wait for no man. A pompous and self-satisfied proverb, and was true for a billion years; but in our day of electric wires and water-ballast we turn it around: Man waits not for time nor tide.
—Common Proverb
Bygone troubles are good to tell.
—Yiddish Proverb
One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
We find comfort among those who agree with us—growth among those who don’t.
—Frank A. Clark
Your enthusiasm will be infectious, stimulating and attractive to others. They will love you for it. They will go for you and with you.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
The reward of suffering is experience.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
We sleep, but the loom of life never stops and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up to-morrow.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
It’s a matter of ABC: When we encounter ADVERSITY, we react by thinking about it. Our thoughts rapidly congeal into BELIEFS. These beliefs may become so habitual we don’t even realize we have them unless we stop to focus on them. And they don’t just sit there idly; they have CONSEQUENCES. The beliefs are the direct cause of what we feel and what we do next. They can spell the difference between dejection and giving up, on the one hand, and well-being and constructive action on the other. The first step is to see the connection between adversity, belief, and consequence. The second step is to see how the ABCs operate every day in your own life.
—Martin Seligman (b.1942) American Psychologist, Author
It is foolish to tear one’s hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
As long as you keep getting born, it’s alright to die some times.
—Orson Scott Card (b.1951) American Author
In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
—Theodore Roethke (1908–63) American Poet
Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great.
—Pliny the Younger (c.61–c.112 CE) Roman Senator, Writer
Enemies can be an incentive to survive and become someone in spite of them. Enemies can keep you alert and aware.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
It’s not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.
—Ashleigh Brilliant (b.1933) British Cartoonist, Author
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Who has never tasted what is bitter does not know what is sweet.
—German Proverb
Emergencies have always been necessary to progress. It was darkness which produced the lamp. It was fog that produced the compass. It was hunger that drove us to exploration. And it took a depression to teach us the real value of a job.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted, but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.
—Garrison Keillor (b.1942) American Author, Humorist, Radio Personality
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
I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Even our misfortunes are a part of our belongings.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way.
—James Cash Penney (1875–1971) American Entrepreneur