77 Adversity Quotes
We hope these adversity quotes encourage you and help you see difficult times in a new and more hopeful way.
Updated March 30, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Adversity is not failure, it is often part of the journey forward. When we choose to face challenges instead of avoiding them, we often discover strength we did not know we had.
Difficult times can shape our character and teach us valuable lessons. They can help us grow, adjust, and see life more clearly. When we view adversity as an opportunity rather than a setback, we begin to move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa
Resilience is the strength and speed of our response to adversity ... It isn’t about having a backbone. It’s about strengthening the muscles around our backbone. Sheryl Sandberg, Option B
It's easy to be nice when everything is going our way. But our real character shows when we are facing adversity or stress. Randall Hicks, Step Parenting
In every adversity we face there is always something to be thankful. Find it and focus on it. Kate Summers
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us when adversity takes the place of prosperity Washington Irving, The Truest Friend
When people try to bury you, remind yourself you are a seed. Matshona Dhliwayo
I'm glad for all that life has brought, because today I know that men must brave adversities, if they would greater grow. Lawrence Hawthorne, Facing Life's Problems
Never give up! If adversity presses, providence wisely has mingled the cup, and the best counsel in all your distresses is the stout watchword of - Never give up! Martin Farquhar Tupper, Never Give Up!
Overcoming adversity doesn't have to be impossible. Overcoming adversity is not easy, but you can find a way around the obstacles if you keep persisting towards your goals. Mike Milano, Adversity
Hope itself is like a star - not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Charles H. Spurgeon
Resilience is not just about surviving, but thriving in the midst of adversity. Stormie Omartian
Here's to the man that can feign jollity, whatever his trials and tribulations may be. Unknown, The Conqueror
A life built on the sands of materialism can be destroyed by the floods of adversity. William Arthur Ward, A Life Built
Someone said adversity builds character, but someone else said adversity reveals character. Brooke Shields
In adversity stand by your friend! John Imrie, Never Go Back On A Friend
Between adversity and our response is a space. In that space are the power and freedom to choose to crumble, or to elevate both ourselves and others ... Erik Weihenmayer, The Adversity Advantage
Adversity is fortune's school, its lessons fill the air Stillman F. Kneeland, Uplift
There was never a cloud could hide the sun for more than a day or two; so don't be so ready to quit and run, when adversity comes to you. Unknown, Holdfast!
Old friends are like the goodly tree whose leafy branches throw a grateful shelter over me when adverse winds may blow! Edgar A. Guest, Friendship Of The Good And True
Look into yourself and your character to see what strengths you have to face adversity. Draw upon your strengths to overcome the challenges you come up against. Mike Milano, Adversity
"Adversity is the first path to truth." Lord Byron
Look on your customers’ difficulties and problems, their adversities, as an opportunity where you can go way beyond what is normally expected. You’ll get these customers for life. Erik Weihenmayer, The Adversity Advantage
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
You may not have the inner strength alone to smash your way through adversity but internalizing the stories told through books of those who did lend ammunition to carry on. Theordore W. Higgingsworth
Adversity and failure will come. Always swing the bat and learn from every experience you have, pushing yourself to improve. Andrew Izumi, Overcoming Adversity in Entrepreneurship
"Adversity brings knowledge, and knowledge wisdom." Proverb
You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. Epicurus
"Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater." William Hazlitt
Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat. Anais Nin
To overcome adversity, have a positive mindset, focusing on the positives no matter how small they are!
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records." William A. Ward
"Turn your wounds into wisdom." Oprah Winfrey
Great persons rise above adversity and attain new heights of achievement by turning tribulations into triumphs, failures into fortunes... William Arthur Ward, Your Attitude
Every path has its puddle. English Proverb
May, the month of flowers, reminds us that even in life's challenges, beauty can bloom. Just as petals reveal vibrant colors, may we find strength and resilience to flourish in the face of adversity. Byron Pulsifer
In April's embrace, find the courage to bloom, even in the face of adversity. Sam R. V. Gould
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott
"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." Garth Brooks
When you are dealing with adversity divide big challenges into smaller tasks; tackle each task one step at a time. Don't be overwhelmed by the adversity.
"A dose of adversity is often as needful as a dose of medicine." American Proverb
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity." Albert Schweitzer
When dealing with life's adversities seek support; share your struggles with friends or family. And accept help and encouragement from others.
"The problems of life do not go away magically. We have to consciously work on making our lives more positive and joyful." Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Life, The Greatest Ride of All
"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I was forced to come up the hard way." J. C. Penney
"Do not fear the winds of adversity. Remember: A kite rises against the wind rather than with it." Author Unknown
See adversity as a chance to learn and grow and be open to changing strategies if needed.
"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." Author Unknown
"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
By assisting those whose trials and struggles are rife. Those pulling hard 'gainst Adversity's stream...Open the heart and lend a hand. Lillian E. Curtis
Those taught in adversity's school are braver and better by far. John Imrie, Life's Brighter Side
"Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes." Francis Bacon
"Don't think of problems as difficulties. Think of them as opportunities for action." Author Unknown, Ten Ways to Worry Less and Accomplish More
"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet
When faced with adversity, stay resilient, understand that setbacks are a part of life.
Turn the defeat of adversity into victory. Meet your problems with decision. John A. Schindler, Important Rules To Watch In Living
"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
"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." Napoleon Hill
"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds." Norman Vincent Peale
Taking care of your physical and mental well-being and ensuring you get enough rest and relaxation will help you when you face adversity in your life.
To me, overcoming adversity means you can change. You can break yourself of habits that have been ingrained in you over the years. Andrew Izumi, Overcoming Adversity in Entrepreneurship
"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you." Jeffrey Gitomer
"You have come into a hard world. I know of only one easy place in it, and that is the grave." Henry Ward Beecher
You fight dandelions all weekend, and late Monday afternoon there they are, pert as all get out, in full and gorgeous bloom, pretty as can be, thriving as only dandelions can in the face of adversity. Hal Borland
Overcome adversity by staying flexible.
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." Frank A. Clark
"It is important to understand that you are the master controller of your reactions, no matter what the circumstances." Catherine Pulsifer, Does It Really Matter!
"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine." Ralph Waldo Emerson
With its steam of prosperity, its wheels of adversity, time, when the weary world, by Fate's finger twirled... Lillian E Curtis, At Night
When faced with adversity remember your past successes. Recall times you've overcome challenges. Draw strength from your past resilience.
"Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity." Aristotle
"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant." Horace
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." Henry Ford
Having hope in all situations can help us deal with adversity and challenges that we all have in life. Catherine Pulsifer
"There is nothing worse than being unable to see light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned to focus my energies on solutions, not on the challenge itself. So often, I have seen people waste energy by moaning and groaning about a problem. Yet, if they just realigned their attitude and focused on the solution or on the opportunity, the challenge would not seem as big as they think it is." Catherine Pulsifer, My Story
"Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity." Stephen R. Covey
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Conclusion
Adversity is a part of life that no one can avoid, but it does not have to define us. Often, it is through our hardest moments that we discover our greatest strength. These quotes remind us that challenges can shape us, teach us, and guide us toward becoming stronger and wiser.
When you face difficult times, remember that each step forward matters. Stay hopeful, stay determined, and trust that even in adversity there is purpose. With the right mindset, every obstacle can become an opportunity to grow.
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