Quotes About Adversity

I cannot stay in harmony if I let myself become upset by things beyond my control.

Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths...Dig deeply. You possess strengths you might not realize you have. Find the right one. Use it.

Yes, but what good will all this do me when a child of mine dies, or if my brother, or I myself, have to die or be tortured?' [19] Nothing. Because that's not why you came, not why you took your seat in front of me, not the reason you sometimes sacrificed sleep to study by lamplight.

Obstacles Lameness may strike your leg, but not your determination. Sickness may weaken your body, but not your character. Misfortune may drain your bank account, but not your generosity—unless you let it. Each time an obstacle arises, remind yourself of this truth: while it may hurt some part of you, it can't touch your deepest self. The only person who can truly harm you—that is, make you a worse person—is you.

Maak er van meet af aan een goede gewoonte van tegen elke pijnlijke indruk van buitenaf te zeggen: 'Jij bent niet meer dan een indruk! Jij bent heel anders dan je je voordoet!

If you intend to improve, throw away such thoughts as these: if I neglect my affairs, I shall not have the means of living: unless I chastise my slave, he will be bad. For it is better to die of hunger and so to be released from grief and fear than to live in abundance with perturbation; and it is better for your slave to be bad than for you to be unhappy.

I will throw you into prison. Correction – it is my body you will throw there.

What would have become of Hercules, do you think, if there had been no lion, hydra, stag or boar – and no savage criminals to rid the world of? [33] What would he have done in the absence of such challenges? Obviously he would have just rolled over in bed and gone back to sleep. So by snoring his life away in luxury and comfort he never would have developed into the mighty Hercules.

Bring on whatever difficulties you like, Zeus; I have resources and a constitution that you gave me by means of which I can do myself credit whatever happens.

I am prepared to show you that you have resources and a character naturally strong and resilient; show me in return what grounds you have for being peevish and malcontent.

But if with trembling and lamentation you seek not to fall into that which you avoid, tell me how you are improving.

Lead me, Fate, wherever you will, and I will cheerfully follow. For, even if I kick and wail, all the same I must follow. —Cleanthes

Behold the birth of tragedy: when idiots come face to face with the vicissitudes of life.

I must be exiled; but is there anything to keep me from going with a smile, calm and self-composed?

A man asked me to write to Rome on his behalf who, as most people thought, had met with misfortune; for having been before wealthy and distinguished, he had afterwards lost all and was living here. So I wrote about him in a humble style. He however on reading the letter returned it to me, with the words: I asked for your help, not for your pity. No evil has happened unto me.

Don't let the force of the impression when first it hits you knock you off your feet; just say to it, 'Hold on a moment; let me see who you are and what you represent.

Cilv?ks necieš no notikumiem, bet gan no to interpret?cijas. (Epikt?ts, 50–135.g.)

Don't hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.

Put away the fear of death, and however much thunder and lightning you have to face, you will find the mind capable of remaining calm and composed regardless.

In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate.

An ignorant person is one who is tossed about between elation and despair by external forces and events.

Show me someone untroubled with disturbing thoughts about illness, danger, death, exile or loss of reputation. By all the gods, I want to see a Stoic!

Consciousness of its weakness will keep you from tackling difficult subjects.

So-and-so's son died.' ('The question'). Answer: 'Since it's nothing he can control, it isn't bad.