Obstacles often are not personal attacks; they are muscle builders.
—Anne Wilson Schaef (1934–2020) American Clinical Psychologist
Nature is upheld by antagonism.—Passions, resistance, danger, are educators. We acquire the strength we have overcome.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The wise man always throws himself on the side of his assailants. It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.—Skilful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
It is not ease but effort,—not facility, but difficulty, that makes men. There is, perhaps, no station in life in which difficulties have not to be encountered and overcome before any decided measure, of success can be achieved.
—Samuel Smiles (1812–1904) British Author, Reformer
When you struggle, that’s when you realize what you’re made of, and that’s when you realize what the people around you can do. You learn who you’d want to take with you to a war, and who you’d only want to take to lunch.
—Chamique Holdsclaw (b.1977) American Basketball Player
Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, and the most gripping stories.
—Billy Graham (1918–91) American Baptist Religious Leader
If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
If it is once again one against forty-eight, then I am very sorry for the forty-eight.
—Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British Head of State
The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man. It is more powerful than external circumstances.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Opposition inflames the enthusiast, never converts him.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Politics is the conspiracy of the unproductive but organized against the productive but unorganized.
—Joseph Sobran (1946–2010) American Journalist, Columnist
No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition. It reduces their supporters to that tractable number which can be managed by the joint influences of fruition and hope. It offers vengeance to the discontented, and distinction to the ambitious; and employs the energies of aspiring spirits, who otherwise may prove traitors in a division or assassins in a debate.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better … or quit. Each rebuff is an opportunity to move forward; turn away from them, avoid them, and you throw away your future.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
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
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
In any great organization it is far, far safer to be wrong with the majority than to be right alone.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them… they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
But most of us are apt to settle within ourselves that the man who blocks our way is odious, and not to mind causing him a little of the disgust which his personality excites in ourselves.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Opposition may become sweet to a man when he has christened it persecution.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
I respect only those who resist me, but I cannot tolerate them.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
A wise man profits more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Given a sufficient number of people and an adequate amount of time you can create insurmountable opposition to the most inconsequential idea.
—Unknown
Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
—Thucydides (c.455?c.400 BCE) Greek Historian
Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
A strenuous soul hates cheap success; it is the ardor of the assailant that makes the vigor of the defendant.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is not the victory that makes the joy of noble hearts, but the combat.
—Charles Forbes Rene de Montalembert (1810–70) French Historian, Politician
I have spent many years of my life in opposition, and I rather like the role.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
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