Quotes and Sayings about Adversity
"Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity."
- Aristotle
(Related: Education, Adversity, Prosperity)
"Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New."
- Francis Bacon
(Related: Adversity, Old, Prosperity)
"Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes."
- Francis Bacon
(Related: Adversity, Prosperity)
"Good actions are a guard against the blows of adversity."
- Abu Bakr
(Related: Actions, Adversity)
"Adversity has the same effect on a man that severe training has on the pugilist: it reduces him to his fighting weight."
- Josh Billings
(Related: Adversity, Effect, Fighting, Man, Training, Weight)
"For in all adversity of fortune the worst sort of misery is to have been happy."
- Boethius
(Related: Adversity, Fortune, Misery)
"A prosperous state makes a secure Christian, but adversity makes him Consider."
- Anne Bradstreet
(Related: Christian, Adversity, State)
"Adversity is a stimulus."
- James Broughton
(Related: Adversity)
"Adversity is the first path to truth."
- Lord Byron
(Related: Truth, Adversity, First)
"Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with."
- Thomas Carlyle
(Related: Adversity, Heaven, Jewels)
"The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity."
- Jimmy Carter
(Related: Experience, Life, Adversity, Democracy, Infinite, Variety)
"Those who kept their sanity and humanity intact in the face of awful adversity. Heroes named and unnamed, some known only to God."
- Silvia Cartwright
(Related: God, Adversity, Heroes, Humanity, Sanity)
"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune."
- Chanakya
(Related: Wife, Friend, Adversity, Difficulty, Duty, Misfortune)
"Very often out of adversity that's when the best work comes."
- Tom Cochrane
(Related: Work, Adversity)
"I'm used to adversity and working really well in difficult situations. It was hard for me to accept the success."
- Paula Cole
(Related: Success, Adversity)
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time."
- Robert Collier
(Related: Time, Victory, Adversity, Defeat, Lies)
"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
- John Churton Collins
(Related: Adversity, Friends, Prosperity)
"The firmest of friendships have been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame."
- Charles Caleb Colton
(Related: Adversity, United)
"Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture."
- Charles Caleb Colton
(Related: Success, Adversity, World)
"Friendship, of itself a holy tie, is made more sacred by adversity."
- Charles Caleb Colton
(Related: Friendship, Adversity)
"By adversity are wrought the greatest works of admiration, and all the fair examples of renown, out of distress and misery are grown."
- Samuel Daniel
(Related: Admiration, Adversity, Misery)
"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
(Related: Life, Adversity, May, Obstacles, World)
"There is no education like adversity."
- Benjamin Disraeli
(Related: Education, Adversity)
"Under adversity, under oppression, the words begin to fail, the easy words begin to fail. In order to convey things accurately, the human being is almost forced to find the most precise words possible, which is a precondition for literature."
- Rita Dove
(Related: Adversity, Being, Literature, Oppression, Order, Words)
"You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity."
- Epicurus
(Related: Courage, Adversity, Being, Relationships)
"I consider adversity being good sometimes you know."
- Brett Favre
(Related: Adversity, Being)
"Initially, I know that I handled it worse than she did and I think partly because I've always been... every bit of adversity I've faced up until the last year and a half is adversity I brought upon myself - or the opposing teams have given me."
- Brett Favre
(Related: Adversity)
"Without adversity a person hardly knows whether they are honest or not."
- Henry Fielding
(Related: Adversity)
"Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not."
- Henry Fielding
(Related: Adversity, Man)
"He that can heroically endure adversity will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former is not likely to be transported with the later."
- Henry Fielding
(Related: Soul, Greatness, Adversity, Mind, Prosperity, Will)
"I think that everything you do helps you to write if you're a writer. Adversity and success both contribute largely to making you what you are. If you don't experience either one of those, you're being deprived of something."
- Shelby Foote
(Related: Experience, Success, Adversity, Being, Writer)
"Fresh activity is the only means of overcoming adversity."
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(Related: Adversity, Overcoming)
"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are."
- Arthur Golden
(Related: Adversity, Tears, Wind)
"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has."
- Billy Graham
(Related: Adversity, Comfort, Prosperity, World)
"Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men."
- Martha Graham
(Related: Men, Adversity, Fire, Gold)
"The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity."
- Ulysses S. Grant
(Related: Trust, Friend, Adversity, Prosperity)
"The human race has had long experience and a fine tradition in surviving adversity. But we now face a task for which we have little experience, the task of surviving prosperity."
- Alan Gregg
(Related: Experience, Adversity, Now, Prosperity, Race, Tradition)
"Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless."
- Scott Hamilton
(Related: Perseverance, Adversity, Self, Value)
"Everything that I've ever been able to accomplish in skating and in life has come out of adversity and perseverance."
- Scott Hamilton
(Related: Life, Perseverance, Adversity)
"Adversity is a great teacher, but this teacher makes us pay dearly for its instruction; and often the profit we derive, is not worth the price we paid."
- Elizabeth Hardwick
(Related: Adversity, Profit, Worth)
"Weak minds sink under prosperity as well as adversity; but strong and deep ones have two high tides."
- David Hare
(Related: Adversity, Deep, Prosperity, Tides)
"I desire an special interest in your prayers that my faith fail not in the day of adversity."
- John Hawley
(Related: Faith, Adversity, Day, Desire, Interest)
"Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater."
- William Hazlitt
(Related: Adversity, Prosperity)
"Something called 'the Oklahoma Standard' became known throughout the world. It means resilience in the face of adversity. It means a strength and compassion that will not be defeated."
- Brad Henry
(Related: Strength, Adversity, Compassion, Will, World)
"Every adversity, every failure, and every heartache, carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or greater Benefit."
- Napolean Hill
(Related: Failure, Adversity)
"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit."
- Napoleon Hill
(Related: Failure, Adversity)
"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."
- Lou Holtz
(Related: Adversity)
"Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it."
- Horace
(Related: Genius, Adversity, Prosperity)
"In adversity remember to keep an even mind."
- Horace
(Related: Adversity, Mind)
"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant."
- Horace
(Related: Adversity, Circumstances, Effect)
"A heart well prepared for adversity in bad times hopes, and in good times fears for a change in fortune."
- Horace
(Related: Change, Heart, Adversity, Fortune)
"It is courage, courage, courage, that raises the blood of life to crimson splendor. Live bravely and present a brave front to adversity."
- Horace
(Related: Life, Courage, Adversity, Blood, Present)
"I'll say this for adversity: people seem to be able to stand it, and that's more than I can say for prosperity."
- Kin Hubbard
(Related: People, Prosperity)
"Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters."
- Victor Hugo
(Related: Men, Adversity, Prosperity)
"In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive."
- Lee Iacocca
(Related: Anger, Positive, Adversity, Energy, Stress)
"There is in every woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity."
- Washington Irving
(Related: Heart, Adversity, Fire, Lies, Prosperity, Woman)
"There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity."
- Washington Irving
(Related: Heart, Adversity, Fire, Lies, Prosperity, Woman)
"Adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us."
- Samuel Johnson
(Related: Adversity, State)
"Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself."
- Samuel Johnson
(Related: Adversity, Man, State)
"He knows not his own strength who hath not met adversity."
- William Samuel Johnson
(Related: Strength, Adversity)
"He knows not his own strength that has not met adversity."
- Ben Jonson
(Related: Strength, Adversity)
"Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: 'It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear adversity."
- James Keller
(Related: Adversity, Impatience, London, Sentiment, Spirits, Years)
"Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom."
- John F. Kennedy
(Related: Home, Success, Hope, Adversity, Democracy, Freedom, Israel, Order, Will)
"Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great."
- Rose Kennedy
(Related: Adversity, Prosperity)
"I contend that not only can you laugh at adversity, but it is essential to do so if you are to deal with setbacks without defeat."
- Allen Klein
(Related: Adversity, Defeat)
"Memory tempers prosperity, mitigates adversity, controls youth, and delights old age."
- Lactantius
(Related: Age, Adversity, Memory, Old, Prosperity, Youth)
"The long, dull, monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather for the devil."
- C. S. Lewis
(Related: Adversity, Devil, Prosperity, Weather, Years)
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln
(Related: Men, Power, Character, Adversity, Man, Want)
"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."
- Malcolm X
(Related: Time, Performance, Adversity, Defeat, Heartbreak, Loss)
"Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity."
- Og Mandino
(Related: Adversity)
"Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward."
- Wilma Mankiller
(Related: People, Ability, Adversity)
"I think really what I'm saying is that I thrive on adversity."
- Richard Marx
(Related: Adversity, Saying)
"Whatever changes the new era brings, whatever new pathways we take, I am sure that our special relationship with America - forged in adversity, will not change."
- Mary McAleese
(Related: Change, Adversity, America, Will)
"You'll never find a better sparring partner than adversity."
- Golda Meir
(Related: Adversity)
"I have definitely gone through my ups and downs and faced my adversity and my nay-sayers, but managed to do all right. It is a pretty classic tale."
- Steve Nash
(Related: Adversity, Pretty, Right)
"As years passed away I have formed the habit of looking back upon that former self as upon another person, the remembrance of whose emotions has been a solace in adversity and added zest to the enjoyment of prosperity."
- Simon Newcomb
(Related: Habit, Adversity, Emotions, Enjoyment, Prosperity, Remembrance, Self, Years, Zest)
"Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat."
- Anais Nin
(Related: Life, Adversity, Defeat)
"He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity."
- Cesare Pavese
(Related: Strength, Adversity)
"Be moderate in prosperity, prudent in adversity."
- Periander
(Related: Adversity, Prosperity)
"Prosperity is no just scale; adversity is the only balance to weigh friends."
- Plutarch
(Related: Adversity, Balance, Friends, Prosperity)
"Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity."
- Plutarch
(Related: Adversity, Man, Nothing, Prosperity)
"Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity."
- Elvis Presley
(Related: Adversity, Man, Prosperity, Will)
"Americans have always been able to handle austerity and even adversity. Prosperity is what is doing us in."
- James Reston
(Related: Adversity, Americans, Prosperity)
"Remorse sleeps during prosperity but awakes bitter consciousness during adversity."
- Jean Jacques Rousseau
(Related: Adversity, Consciousness, Prosperity, Remorse)
"A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity until he has tasted adversity."
- Rosalind Russell
(Related: Adversity, Man, Prosperity)
"A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity 'til he has tasted adversity."
- Sa'Di
(Related: Adversity, Man, Prosperity)
"For gold is tried in the fire and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity."
- George Santayana
(Related: Men, Adversity, Fire, Gold)
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity."
- Albert Schweitzer
(Related: Strength, Adversity, Obstacles, Overcoming)
"The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(Related: Adversity, Man, Sight, World)
"The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man... It is more powerful than external circumstances."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(Related: Adversity, Circumstances, Man, Mind, Pressure)
"We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the right."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(Related: Adversity, Appreciation, Prosperity, Right)
"The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(Related: Adversity, Prosperity)
"Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
(Related: Men, War, Adversity, Soldiers)
"Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course."
- William Shakespeare
(Related: Men, Adversity)
"Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head."
- William Shakespeare
(Related: Adversity, Ugly)
"In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider."
- King Solomon
(Related: Adversity, Day, Prosperity)
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
- King Solomon
(Related: Brother, Friend, Adversity)
"Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit."
- W. Clement Stone
(Related: Successful, Adversity, Lies, Magic, Man)
"Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them."
- Publilius Syrus
(Related: Adversity, Friends, Prosperity)
"We see many who are struggling against adversity who are happy, and more although abounding in wealth, who are wretched."
- Tacitus
(Related: Wealth, Adversity)
"Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable."
- Tacitus
(Related: Adversity)
"Seven and half years ago I began my own journey. For me and my family it was a time of adversity. But during that adversity I derived a deeper faith. And born out of that adversity was a commitment to devote myself to those people and to those issues that truly matter to me."
- Paul Tsongas
(Related: Family, Time, Faith, People, Adversity, Commitment, Journey, Years)
"He who does not tire, tires adversity."
- Martin Farquhar Tupper
(Related: Adversity)
"By trying we can easily endure adversity. Another man's, I mean."
- Mark Twain
(Related: Adversity, Man, Trying)
"Remember the great adversity of art or anything else is a hurried life."
- Robert James Waller
(Related: Art, Life, Adversity)
"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records."
- William Arthur Ward
(Related: Men, Adversity, Causes)
"True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation."
- George Washington
(Related: Friendship, Growth, Adversity)
"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."
- George Washington
(Related: Friendship, Growth, Adversity)
"Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then."
- John Wooden
(Related: Adversity, Being, Man, State)
"In the adversity of our best friends we often find something that does not displease us."
- Brigham Young
(Related: Adversity, Friends)
"Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful."
- Zig Ziglar
(Related: Successful, Adversity, Order)