This article was co-authored by Heather Morrison and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Heather Morrison is a public speaking coach and broadcaster based in Saskatchewan, Canada. Heather is the president and founder of Deliver Your Best, working with clients around the world to help them overcome their fear and improve their public speaking. In 2025, she received the New Business of the Year award from Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan. Heather also has extensive experience as a radio host and sideline reporter, providing local and national coverage on platforms such as CBC, TSN and ESPNU. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked as an actress, producer, playwright, and director for over a decade as well.
There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
Everyone goes through challenging chapters in life, but it can feel a bit better to know you’re not alone—and hear from others who’ve been through the same thing. Whether you’re looking for a motivational adversity quote to hype yourself up or a short quote to send to a friend who’s feeling down, we’ve put together a long list of inspiring passages and messages to help anyone through a time of adversity. Plus, we’ve included tips from life coaches and psychology experts on how to navigate challenging moments and events in your life
Top Adversity Quotes
- “If the road is easy, you're likely going the wrong way.” – Terry Goodkind
- “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
- “You did anything to bury me, but you forgot that I was a seed.” – Dinos Christianopoulos
- “Being human is not hard because you're doing it wrong, it's hard because you're doing it right.” – Glennon Doyle
- “Someone I once loved gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.” – Mary Oliver
- “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” – Ambrose Redmoon
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat quotes do you love about overcoming adversity?Heather MorrisonHeather Morrison is a public speaking coach and broadcaster based in Saskatchewan, Canada. Heather is the president and founder of Deliver Your Best, working with clients around the world to help them overcome their fear and improve their public speaking. In 2025, she received the New Business of the Year award from Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan. Heather also has extensive experience as a radio host and sideline reporter, providing local and national coverage on platforms such as CBC, TSN and ESPNU. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked as an actress, producer, playwright, and director for over a decade as well.
Public Speaking Coach and BroadcasterOne that always comes to mind is from Henry Ford. He said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” That’s such a good one for adversity because it reminds you how much mindset plays a role in getting through tough times. When you believe in your ability to overcome, you’re already halfway there.
Tips
References
- ↑ https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/2020/09/03/difficulties-strengthen-the-mind-as-labor-does-the-body-lucius-annaeus-seneca/
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/quotes-quips/daily-life/45-overcoming-adversity-quotes-help-you-during-tough-times
- ↑ https://msmagazine.com/2020/05/03/glennon-doyle-untamed-book-review-brave-means-living-from-the-inside-out/
- ↑ https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/for-camus-it-was-always-personal/
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/quotes-quips/daily-life/45-overcoming-adversity-quotes-help-you-during-tough-times
- ↑ https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/quotes-about-overcoming-adversity
- ↑ https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/quotes-about-overcoming-adversity
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/quotes-about-strength
- ↑ https://www.dickens-online.info/the-pickwick-papers-page518.html
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/quotes-about-strength
- ↑ https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/quotes-about-courage.html
- ↑ https://sportpsych.unt.edu/resources/sport-quotes.html
- ↑ https://sportpsych.unt.edu/resources/sport-quotes.html
- ↑ https://sportpsych.unt.edu/resources/sport-quotes.html
- ↑ https://sportpsych.unt.edu/resources/sport-quotes.html
- ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+24:10&version=KJV
- ↑ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5:10&version=NIV
- ↑ https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.4.12-13.NIV
- ↑ https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/quotes-about-overcoming-adversity
- ↑ https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/quotes-about-overcoming-adversity
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/quotes-about-strength
- ↑ Annie Lin, MBA. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW. Certified AEDP Psychotherapist & Emotions Educator. Expert Interview
- ↑ Leslie Bosch, PhD. Developmental Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Leslie Bosch, PhD. Developmental Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Ira Israel. Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist. Expert Interview
- ↑ William Schroeder, MA, LPC, NCC. Licensed Professional Counselor. Expert Interview
- ↑ Lucy Yeh. Life Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Lucy Yeh. Life Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Amy Wong. Leadership & Transformational Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Lia Huynh, LMFT. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS. Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA. Life Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA. Life Coach. Expert Interview