Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) Austrian Poet
No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
“The horror of that moment,” the King went on, “I shall never, never forget!” “You will, though,” the Queen said, “if you don’t make a memorandum of it.
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (1832–98) British Anglican Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Photographer, Logician
If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim.
—Anonymous
Trouble is the common denominator of living. It is the great equalizer.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.
—John Steinbeck (1902–68) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Journalist
I received a letter from a lad asking me for an easy berth. To this I replied: You cannot be an editor; do not try the law; do not think of the ministry; let alone all ships and merchandise; abhor politics; don’t practice medicine; be not a farmer or a soldier or a sailor; don’t study, don’t think. None of these are easy. O, my son, you have come into a hard world. I know of only one easy place in it, and that is the grave.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
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
One who was adored by all in prosperity is abhorred by all in adversity.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
Bygone troubles are good to tell.
—Yiddish Proverb
God uses suffering as a whetstone, to make men sharp with.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Everything in this life takes longer than you think except life itself.
—Unknown
All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
—Henry J. Kaiser (1882–1967) American Industrialist
Friendship, of itself a holy tie, is made more sacred by adversity.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Some people bear three kinds of trouble—all they ever had, all they have now, and all they expect to have.
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman, Writer
The proof of gold is fire.
—Common Proverb
From a fallen tree, make kindling.
—Spanish Proverb
The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up.
—Anonymous
Adversity comes with instruction in its hand.
—Unknown
It is not every calamity that is a curse, and early adversity is often a blessing.—Surmounted difficulties not only teach, but hearten us in our future struggles.
—James Sharp
It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core strength within you that survives all hurt.
—Max Lerner (1902–92) Russian-born American Journalist
To accuse others for one’s own misfortunes is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Adversity is, to me at least, a tonic and a bracer.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
The English nation is never so great as in adversity.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Am I willing to give up what I have in order to be what I am not yet? Am I able to follow the spirit of love into the desert? It is a frightening and sacred moment. There is no return. One’s life is charged forever. It is the fire that gives us our shape.
—M. C. Richards (1916–99) American Poet, Potter, Writer
How can something bother you if you won’t let it?
—Unknown