It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever—the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
Suicide is a crime the most revolting to the feelings; nor does any reason suggest itself to our understanding by which it can be justified. It certainly originates in that species of fear which we denominate poltroonery. For what claim can that man have to courage who trembles at the frowns of fortunes? True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life in whatever shape they may challenge him to combat.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Great things are done when men and mountains meet; this is not done by jostling in the street.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
Never underestimate your problem or your ability to deal with it.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
That is what Americans do. We face a challenge—no matter how great—because we know that on the other side there is always hope
—John Kerry (b.1943) American Politician, Diplomat
In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, then begin looking for it.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Problems are the price of progress. Don’t bring me anything but trouble. Good news weakens me.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.
—Kofi Annan (1938–2018) Ghanaian Statesman, International Diplomat
Everyone needs something to aim for. You can call it a challenge, or you can call it a goal. It is what makes us human. It was challenges that took us from being cavemen to reaching for the stars
—Richard Branson (b.1950) British Entrepreneur
The manager administers; the leader innovates. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eye on the bottom line; the leader has his eye on the horizon. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
—Warren Bennis (1925–2014) American Business Academic, Author
Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet
—Nadia Comaneci (b.1961) Romanian-born American Gymnast
There’s only one boss: the customer. He can fire everybody from the chairman on down simply by spending his money elsewhere.
—Sam Walton (1918–92) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
A powerful idea communicates some of its strength to him who challenges it.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.
—Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942–73) American Singer, Composer, Scholar, Social Activist
The best players in any high-stakes field – business, entertainment, law, surgery, as well as sport – recognize that pressure occurs at the moments when meaningful accomplishment is possible. In fact, that is the reason why performers perform: for the opportunity to tackle challenges head on, to do something significant, to demonstrate what their hard work and talent can produce.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Reality challenges and rewards. I believe our best days are yet to come.
—George W. Bush (b.1946) American Head of State, Businessperson
Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
There is nothing like a challenge to bring out the best in man.
—Sean Connery (1930–2020) Scottish Actor, Film Producer
Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.
—Doug Larson (1926–2017) American Columnist
Courage is the human virtue that counts most—courage to act on limited knowledge and insufficient evidence. That’s all any of us have.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
When people keep telling you that you can’t do a thing, you kind of like to try it.
—Margaret Chase Smith (1897–1995) American Politician
The challenge of social justice is to evoke a sense of community that we need to make our nation a better place, just as we make it a safer place.
—Marian Wright Edelman (b.1939) American Civil Regrets Advocate, Humanitarian, Lawyer
By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Optimists enrich the present, enhance the future, challenge the improbable and attain the impossible.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer