Quotes About Strength

I am swimming with sharks and I am prepared to become one of them.

Selbstvertrauen ist nichts anderes als Unwissenheit. Wenn man sich stark fühlt, dann nur, weil es etwas gibt, das man nicht weiß.

A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope

Difficulty shows what men are. Therefore when a difficulty falls upon you, remember that God, like a trainer of wrestlers, has matched you with a rough young man. Why? So that you may become an Olympic conqueror; but it is not accomplished without sweat.

You may fetter my leg, but Zeus himself cannot get the better of my free will.

Difficulty shows what men are.

Neither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.

Man, what are you talking about? Me in chains? You may fetter my leg but my will, not even Zeus himself can overpower.

People with a strong physical constitution can tolerate extremes of hot and cold; people of strong mental health can handle anger, grief, joy and the other emotions.

Fortify yourself with contentment for this is an impregnable fortress.

28. If a person gave your body to any stranger he met on his way, you would certainly be angry. And do you feel no shame in handing over your own mind to be confused and mystified by anyone who happens to verbally attack you?

If you have assumed a character beyond your strength, you have both played a poor figure in that, and neglected one that is within your powers.

What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? [29] Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective? If, however, he has his victim's weakness to exploit, then his efforts are worth his while.

If you have assumed a character above your strength, you have both acted in this matter in an unbecoming way, and you have neglected that which you might have fulfilled.

Faced with pain, you will discover the power of endurance. If you are insulted, you will discover patience. 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.

You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer.

If you have assumed any character beyond your strength, you have both demeaned yourself ill in that and quitted one which you might have supported.

What would Heracles have been if he had said, How am I to prevent a big lion from appearing, or a big boar, or brutal men? What care you, I say? If a big boar appears, you will have a greater struggle to engage in; if evil men appear, you will free the world from evil men.

They may kill me, but they cannot hurt me. —Socrates

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.

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.

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.