« The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. »
– Marcus Aurelius
« No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself. »
– Seneca
« Misfortune is virtue’s opportunity. »
– Seneca
« Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men. »
– Seneca
“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? 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.”
– Epictetus
« I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent— no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you. »
– Seneca
« If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now. »
– Marcus Aurelius
« Ask, ‘Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?’ You’ll be embarrassed to answer. »
– Marcus Aurelius
« To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it. »
– Marcus Aurelius
“The true man is revealed in difficult times. So when trouble comes, think of yourself as a wrestler whom God, like a trainer, has paired with a tough young buck. For what purpose? To turn you into Olympic-class material.”
– Epictetus
