The same wind that extinguishes a light can set a brazier on fire.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Fugitive, Revolutionary
Those things that hurt, instruct.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
There could be no honor in a sure success, but much might be wrested from a sure defeat.
—T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British Soldier, Scholar, Writer
Bumps are the things we climb on.
—Warren W. Wiersbe (1929–2019) American Pastor, Biblical Scholar
Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity till he has tasted adversity.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Times of general calamity and collusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the lightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The virtue of prosperity is temperance, but the virtue of adversity is fortitude; and the last is the more sublime attainment.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
It is from the level of calamities … that we learn impressive and useful lessons.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Adversity is like the period of the former and of the latter rain,—cold, comfortless, unfriendly to man and to animal; yet from that season have their birth the flower and the fruit, the date, the rose, and the pomegranate.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Who has never tasted what is bitter does not know what is sweet.
—German Proverb
If your house is on fire, warm yourself by it.
—Spanish Proverb
Sleep, riches, and health, to be truly enjoyed, must be interrupted.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
To be thrown upon one’s own resources is to be cast into the very lap of fortune, for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
They wrong man greatly who say he is to be seduced by ease. Difficulty, abnegation, martyrdom, death are the allurements that act on the heart of man.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
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
Trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom.
—Unknown
All sorts of spiritual gifts come through privations, if they are accepted.
—Janet Erskine Stuart (1857–1914) English Catholic Nun, Educationalist
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
Victories that are easy are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Pain, indolence, sterility, endless ennui have also their lesson for you.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
No man better knows what good is than he who has endured evil.
—Unknown
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties or you alter yourself meeting them.
—Phyllis Bottome (1884–1963) British Novelist, Short Story Writer, Psychoanalysis
Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity of the New, which carrieth the greater benediction and the dearer revelation of God’s favor. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on.
—Frederic Chopin (1810–49) Polish-French Composer, Pianist
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Remorse begets reform.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
One who was adored by all in prosperity is abhorred by all in adversity.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer