Adversity
Life has meaning only in the struggle. Triumph or defeat is in the hands of the Gods. So let us celebrate the struggle!
- Swahili Warrior Song
- Swahili Warrior Song
The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.
- Seneca
- Seneca
Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us--and those around us -- more effectively. Look for the learning.
- Allenbaugh, Eric
- Allenbaugh, Eric
Tribulation will not hurt you, unless as it too often does; it hardens you and makes you sour, narrow and skeptical.
- Chapin, Edwin Hubbel
- Chapin, Edwin Hubbel
Forget the times of your distress, but never forget what they taught you.
- Gesser
- Gesser
The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them until the dark hours.
Nothing splendid was ever created in cold blood. Heat is required to forge anything. Every great accomplishment is the story of a flaming heart.
- Glasgow, Arnold H.
- Glasgow, Arnold H.
Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity.
- Socrates
- Socrates
The reward of suffering is experience.
- Aeschylus
- Aeschylus
The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man. It is more powerful than external circumstances.
- Seneca
- Seneca
Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this.
- Homer
- Homer
There are three modes of bearing the ills of life, by indifference, by philosophy, and by religion.
- Colton, Charles Caleb
- Colton, Charles Caleb
I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door -- or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.
- Tagore, Rabindranath
- Tagore, Rabindranath
The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity.
- Seneca
- Seneca
When walking through the valley of shadows, remember, a shadow is cast by a Light.
- Barclay, H.K.
- Barclay, H.K.
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile I caught hell for it.
- Warren, Earl
- Warren, Earl
Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.
- Kapuscinski, Ryszard
- Kapuscinski, Ryszard
I didn't know I'd have to be torn down before I could be built up.
God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity still in the cloud, the oil still in the earth. How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource! We go to Him because we have nowhere else to go. And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.
- Macdonald, George
- Macdonald, George
Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity.
- Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von
- Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von


















