Why Grow Strong Character? - 15 Quotes

Often when writing from this blog I refer to an important concept I call personal strength. If the voice in your head is saying, "What's he talking about?" here's some background...
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But if the voice in your head is saying, "Why should I be concerned?" here are some voices from the span of time...

"As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed." - Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch painter (1853-90)

“Every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character, and what one has done in the secret chamber has some day to cry aloud on the housetops.” - Oscar Wilde, British playwright (1854-1900)

“Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.” - Eleanor Roosevelt, American diplomat (1884-1962)

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” - Arnold Schwarzenegger, American actor (1947- )

"People often say that this or that person has not yet found himself. But the self is not something one finds, it is something one creates." - Thomas Szasz, American psychiatrist (1920- )

“The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties…great necessities call out great virtues.” - Abigail Adams, American first lady (1744-1818)

“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 Covey, American author (1932- )

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me….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, American movie producer (1901-1966)

"There are always those times when you're going to be down, it's how you step through it that makes you the person you are.'' - Mike Krzyzewski, American college basketball coach (1947- )

"The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." - Anthony Robbins, American author (1960- )

“The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes of it." - John Ruskin, British author (1819-1900)

“The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life – mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical.” - Julius Erving, American professional basketball player (1950- )

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are stronger at the broken places." - Ernest Hemingway, American novelist (1899-1961)

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” - Peter Marshall, British clergyman (1902-1949)

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." - Chinese Proverb

Post by Dennis E. Coates, Ph.D., Copyright 2011. Building Personal Strength . (Permission to use image purchased from istockphoto.com)