15 Inspirational Quotes about Hard Times in Life

In life, we all face challenges that test our spirit and resilience.

To help navigate tough times, this article presents a collection of inspirational quotes perfect for anyone enduring life’s hardships.

These quotes offer strength, hope and remind us that even in our darkest moments, there’s a guiding light of wisdom.

With the uncertainty brought by the current world’s situation, this collection of 15 quotes aims to provide solace and motivation.

Save and share these quotes to uplift yourself and others and remember that despite current struggles, there is always hope for better days ahead.

Let’s get started.


1. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger

This powerful quote encapsulates the transformative nature of adversity.

Nietzsche suggests that facing and overcoming challenges builds resilience, fortitude and character.

Like a muscle that grows stronger through resistance training, our mental and emotional capacities expand when tested by life’s difficulties.

This perspective encourages us to view hardships not as insurmountable obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and self-improvement, ultimately leading to a more robust and capable version of ourselves.

See Also: 15 Positive Quotes for Tough Days

2. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts

Churchill’s words remind us that life is a journey of continuous effort and perseverance.

Success should not lead to complacency, nor should failure result in despair.

The true measure of one’s character lies in the ability to persist in the face of both triumphs and setbacks.

This quote encourages resilience and a growth mindset, emphasizing that our response to challenges is more important than the outcomes themselves.

It’s a call to embrace the process of striving and learning, regardless of immediate results.

3. “Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” ~ Bob Riley.

Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed

Riley’s insight highlights that adversity doesn’t manufacture heroism but rather unveils it.

This quote suggests that challenging circumstances serve as a crucible, bringing forth our innate strength, courage and resilience.

It implies that heroic qualities are latent within all of us, waiting to be awakened by difficult situations.

This perspective encourages us to approach hardships not with fear, but with the anticipation of discovering our own untapped potential and inner fortitude.

4. “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” ~ Dolly Parton.

Storms make trees take deeper roots

Parton’s metaphor beautifully illustrates the hidden benefits of adversity.

Just as trees strengthen their root systems during storms to withstand future tempests, humans develop deeper resilience and character through life’s challenges.

This quote suggests that difficult experiences, while uncomfortable, serve a crucial role in our personal growth.

It encourages us to view hardships not as mere obstacles, but as opportunities to fortify our inner strength and establish a more stable foundation for future success.

5. “Courage is only an accumulation of small steps.” ~ George Konrad.

Courage is only an accumulation of small steps

Konrad’s words demystify the concept of courage, presenting it as an achievable quality built through consistent, small actions.

This perspective encourages us to focus on daily acts of bravery rather than waiting for grand, heroic moments.

It suggests that courage is a skill that can be developed over time, much like building muscle through regular exercise.

By reframing courage as a series of manageable steps, this quote empowers us to face our fears and challenges incrementally, leading to significant personal growth.

Read Also: 15 Self Confidence Quotes Every Woman Needs to Read

6. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson.

Stevenson’s agricultural metaphor shifts our focus from immediate results to long-term efforts and potential.

This quote encourages us to value the process of growth and the actions we take, rather than fixating on instant gratification or visible outcomes.

It reminds us that success often requires patience and consistent effort, like planting seeds that will eventually yield a bountiful harvest.

By emphasizing the importance of daily positive actions, it promotes a mindset of perseverance and hope, even when immediate results aren’t apparent.

7. “Energy and persistence conquers all things.” ~ Benjamin Franklin.

Energy and persistence conquers all things

Franklin’s words underscore the power of unwavering determination and sustained effort.

This quote suggests that with enough enthusiasm and tenacity, any obstacle can be overcome.

It encourages us to approach challenges with a combination of vigor and steadfastness, implying that success is often a matter of outlasting difficulties rather than finding quick solutions.

By emphasizing these twin virtues of energy and persistence, Franklin inspires us to maintain our drive and keep pushing forward, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.

8. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~ Henry Ford.

Ford’s aviation analogy brilliantly reframes adversity as a catalyst for progress.

Just as airplanes use the resistance of headwinds to generate lift, this quote suggests that we can harness life’s challenges to propel ourselves forward.

It encourages a shift in perspective, viewing obstacles not as hindrances but as necessary forces that can elevate us to new heights.

This metaphor inspires resilience and adaptability, reminding us that sometimes, the very things that seem to oppose us can become the key to our success.

9. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” ~ Paulo Coelho.

Coelho’s quote highlights the ripple effect of personal growth.

This quote suggests that our individual efforts to improve ourselves have far-reaching consequences, positively impacting our environment and relationships.

It encourages us to focus on self-improvement as a means of creating broader positive change.

By emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal development and our surroundings, Coelho inspires us to view our growth journey not just as a solitary pursuit, but as a contribution to the betterment of the world around us.

10. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh.

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced

Van Gogh’s quote is a powerful call to action against self-doubt.

It encourages us to confront our inner critic head-on through direct action and practice.

This perspective suggests that the best way to overcome feelings of inadequacy or fear of failure is to engage directly with the task at hand.

By doing so, we not only improve our skills but also build confidence and silence the negative voices within.

It’s a reminder that action and persistence are often the most effective antidotes to self-limiting beliefs.

11. “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” ~ Helen Keller.

Keller’s words offer a balanced and hopeful perspective on the human experience.

While acknowledging the reality of pain and hardship, this quote emphasizes humanity’s remarkable capacity for resilience and triumph.

It encourages us to look beyond our immediate struggles and recognize the countless examples of perseverance and victory that surround us.

By highlighting the duality of suffering and overcoming, Keller inspires us to face our own challenges with courage, knowing that we too have the strength to prevail.

12. “It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” ~ Doe Zantamata.

Zantamata’s quote beautifully illustrates the transformative power of adversity.

It suggests that our most challenging moments serve as a backdrop against which our inner strength shines most brightly.

This perspective encourages us to view difficulties not as crushing blows, but as opportunities to uncover our hidden resilience and inner light.

By emphasizing the inextinguishable nature of our inner strength, Zantamata inspires hope and self-belief, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.

13. “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~ Saint Francis.

Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible

Saint Francis’s words offer a practical approach to achieving seemingly unattainable goals.

This quote breaks down the path to success into manageable steps, encouraging us to begin with essential tasks, then gradually expand our efforts.

It suggests that great achievements often start with small, necessary actions.

By focusing on incremental progress, we build momentum and confidence, eventually finding ourselves capable of feats we once thought impossible.

This perspective promotes patience, perseverance and a growth mindset in tackling life’s challenges.

14. “You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ See the positive in negative events.” ~ Joel Osteen.

Osteen’s quote reframes adversity as an opportunity for growth and learning.

By shifting our perspective from being victims of circumstances to beneficiaries of experiences, we can find purpose and meaning in our challenges.

This mindset encourages resilience and optimism, suggesting that even negative events can serve a positive purpose in our personal development.

It prompts us to look for the lessons and opportunities hidden within our difficulties, transforming obstacles into stepping stones for future success.

15. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” ~ Dale Carnegie.

Carnegie’s words celebrate the power of perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

This quote reminds us that history’s greatest achievements often came from individuals who refused to give up, even when success seemed impossible.

It encourages us to maintain hope and continue our efforts, regardless of how bleak the situation may appear.

By highlighting the link between persistence and significant accomplishments, Carnegie inspires us to push through our own moments of doubt and despair, knowing that breakthrough might be just around the corner.

15 Inspirational Quotes about Hard Times in Life - InboxQuotes
Chandan Negi
Chandan Negi

I love sharing inspirational and motivational quotes, captions, wishes, messages, jokes, puns and riddles to inspire, motivate and make people happy - #quotes #captions #wishes #messages #jokes #puns and #riddles #inboxquotes