Things have got to be wrong in order that they may be deplored.
—Alfred Whitney Griswold (1906–63) American Historian, Educator
The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Evil being the root of mystery, pain is the root of knowledge.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
It has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when to-morrow’s burden is added to the burden of to-day that the weight is more than a man can bear.
—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
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
Never to suffer would have been never to have been blessed.
—Edgar Allan Poe (1809–49) American Poet
In my youth, poverty enriched me, but now I can afford wealth.
—Marc Chagall (1889–1985) Russian-born French Painter, Graphic Artist
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
Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn’t make me stronger.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
Americans are like a rich father who wishes he knew how to give his sons the hardships that made him rich.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Every cloud has its silver lining but it is sometimes a little difficult to get it to the mint
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
In the depth of winter I finally learned there was inside me an invincible summer.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
If you can’t go over, you must go under.
—Yiddish Proverb
The same wind that extinguishes a light can set a brazier on fire.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Fugitive, Revolutionary
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
As a man handles his troubles during the day, so he goes to bed at night a General, Captain, or Private.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
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
Adversity is a severe instructor, set over us by one who knows us better than we do ourselves, as he loves us better too. He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. This conflict with difficulty makes us acquainted with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations. It will not suffer us to be superficial.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Oh, fear not in a world like this, and thou shalt know erelong, know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
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
Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
Necessity is the mother of taking chances.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Noble discontent is the path to heaven.
—Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823–1911) American Social Reformer, Clergyman
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
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