In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
Who hath not known ill fortune, never knew himself, or his own virtue.
Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.
I think the years I have spent in prison have been the most formative and important in my life because of the discipline, the sensations, but chiefly the opportunity to think clearly, to try to understand things.
We only really face up to ourselves when we are afraid.
Difficulties are things that show what men are.
Even if misfortune is only good for bringing a fool to his senses, it would still be just to deem it good for something.
Never does a man know the force that is in him till some mighty affection or grief has humanized the soul.
Disappointment is the nurse of wisdom.
Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch, what make you go beyond the norm.
A woman is like a tea bag: you never know her strength until you drop her in hot water.
Trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom.
A woman has got to love a bad man once or twice in her life to be thankful for a good one.
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.
Adversity is a severe instructor. ... He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.
Forget the times of your distress, but never forget what they taught you.
You can learn little from victory. You can learn everything from defeat.
A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.
When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits ... he has gained facts, learned his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit, has got moderation and real skill.
