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
A certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man; it is what he wants and must have to be good for anything. Hardship and opposition are the native soil of manhood and self-reliance.
—John Neal (1793–1876) American Editor, Poet, Novelist, Critic
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
Many a man’s strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he grows out of use.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English 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
Opposition inflames the enthusiast, never converts him.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.
—Alexander Hamilton (c.1757–1804) American Federalist Politician, Statesman
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
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
The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
The coldest bodies warm with opposition; the hardest sparkle in collision.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
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
To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
The effects of opposition are wonderful. There are men who rise refreshed on hearing of a threat; men to whom a crisis, which intimidates and paralyzes the majority … comes graceful and beloved as a bride.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Obstacles often are not personal attacks; they are muscle builders.
—Anne Wilson Schaef (1934–2020) American Clinical Psychologist
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
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
One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.
—Robert F. Kennedy (1925–68) American Politician, Civil Rights Activist
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
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
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
To oppose something is to maintain it…You must go somewhere else; you must have another goal; then you walk a different road.
—Ursula K. Le Guin (b.1929) American Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer
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
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
Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against—not with—the wind.
—Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916) American Essayist, Editor
A wise man profits more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
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
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