Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and moments that test our strength in ways we never imagined.
When struggles come knocking, it can be hard to find the motivation to keep pushing forward.
But sometimes, all we need is a little inspiration to remind us of our resilience and the beauty that can arise from challenging times.
In this collection, we’ve gathered 27 inspirational quotes about life and struggles to keep you going.
These words of wisdom come from thinkers, leaders, and everyday people who’ve faced adversity head-on.
Let their insights lift your spirits, spark your courage, and remind you that you’re not alone on this journey.
Inspirational Quotes About Life and Struggles
1. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela
Think about a time when you stumbled, but found the strength to rise again. This quote feels like a warm reminder that every setback we face is just another opportunity to come back stronger.
It’s not about avoiding failure, but how we deal with it.
I’ve always admired how we can handle life’s challenges—what’s a time you rose up after falling?
2. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis
When you’re going through something tough, it’s easy to forget that the struggle might be leading you somewhere amazing. This one always gives me hope. You know those moments that feel like they’re breaking you down?
Maybe they’re just building you up for something bigger. Can you think of a time when hardship turned into something better than you expected?
3. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lombardi
This quote reminds me of that time we talked about how life has a way of throwing curveballs. We all get knocked down—it’s inevitable.
But it’s the getting back up that counts. How do you find the strength to stand tall again after life knocks you down?
4. “Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” — Dan Reeves
It’s funny how the hard times can either make us stronger or bring out our worst. I’ve always thought about how we have a choice—life doesn’t just happen to us.
We shape what it means. Have you noticed how some of your toughest moments made you better in ways you didn’t expect?
5. “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.” — Robert Tew
Ever look back on a tough situation and realize it made you more resilient? This one hits me every time because it reminds me that even when things feel unbearable, there’s strength being built beneath the surface.
6. “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” — Napoleon Hill
It’s hard to see the silver lining when you’re right in the middle of something difficult, isn’t it? But this quote makes me think about how many times the worst moments have ended up bringing something unexpectedly positive into my life.
7. “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” — Helen Keller
This quote is a beautiful reminder that even though there’s so much pain in the world, there’s also endless resilience. People rise above their struggles every day, and that’s something to celebrate.
8. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
We often worry about the past or the future, but this quote makes me stop and think about how much strength we already have inside us, right now.
It’s easy to forget how powerful we are. What’s something within you that has helped you through a tough time?
9. “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey
This one always feels personal. It’s like a reminder that the pain we’ve been through isn’t wasted—it can be turned into something valuable. What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a tough situation that made you wiser?
10. “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger
This quote makes me laugh a bit because it reminds me of working out—you don’t get stronger without putting in some effort, right? Same with life. We don’t build strength from the easy wins but from the tough battles.
11. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling
Hitting rock bottom can feel devastating, but sometimes it gives you a clean slate to rebuild. I love how this quote turns something so painful into a place of potential.
Have you ever found that starting from the bottom gave you a fresh perspective on life?
12. “Out of difficulties grow miracles.” — Jean de La Bruyère
It’s crazy to think about how some of the best things in life come from the worst situations. This quote makes me reflect on the miracles that happen after we’ve been through the storm.
What’s a “miracle” you’ve experienced that came from a tough time?
13. “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.” — Unknown
There’s something powerful about the idea of a comeback. This quote makes me think of all those underdog stories where someone turns their life around. It’s a good reminder that after the storm, you’re stronger than before. What’s your comeback story?
14. “The only way to overcome pain is to go through it.” — Unknown
Avoiding pain is never the answer. This quote is like tough love—it’s telling you that the only way to heal is by facing your challenges head-on.
15. “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” — Dolly Parton
This quote always brings up a nostalgic feeling for me, like thinking of the storms I’ve weathered that made me dig deeper. Those tough times made me stronger than I realized. What storm in your life helped you find new strength?
16. “The darkest hour has only sixty minutes.” — Morris Mandel
I love the humor in this one. It’s a playful reminder that no matter how bad things get, it won’t last forever. It’s like a little nudge saying, “Hang in there, it’ll pass.” Doesn’t it help to think about challenges this way?
17. “Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you face your greatest weakness.” — Susan Gale
It’s funny how we only see what we’re truly made of when we’re pushed to our limits.
This quote makes me reflect on how challenges reveal parts of ourselves we didn’t know were there. Has facing a big challenge shown you just how strong you are?
18. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb
There’s something about this one that feels like a mantra for life. No matter how many times you get knocked down, standing back up one more time is all that matters. What’s one thing you refuse to give up on?
19. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” — Maya Angelou
This quote feels empowering, like saying, “Life can throw whatever it wants at me, but I’ll come out of it stronger.” It’s about refusing to let life’s difficulties shrink you. What’s something tough you’ve been through that made you feel bigger instead of smaller?
20. “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” — Anonymous
This quote always makes me smile. It’s a reminder that even when things seem like they’re falling apart, transformation is often just around the corner. Have you ever experienced a “butterfly” moment after a tough time?
21. “We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” — Kenji Miyazawa
It’s not always easy to think of pain as something that can drive us forward, but this quote offers a powerful perspective.
22. “Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” — Drew Barrymore
It’s strange how the things that hurt us most often turn into the sources of our greatest strength. Looking back, what painful experience has become a key part of your strength today?
23. “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” — Margaret Thatcher
Winning doesn’t always come on the first try. This quote is a good reminder that persistence is everything. Have you ever had to face the same struggle multiple times to finally come out on top?
Oh, and if you haven’t heard of Margaret Thatcher, she was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, often called the “Iron Lady” for her strong leadership. Here’s a link to her Wikipedia page if you’re interested in learning more.
24. “Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.” — Unknown
This one gives me chills because it’s so true. Sometimes, what feels like a disaster is really just setting us up for something amazing. Have you ever had a moment where something bad turned out to be a blessing in disguise?
25. “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” — Robert H. Schuller
This is one of those quotes that sticks with you, like a reminder that you’re tougher than whatever life throws your way.
No matter what comes your way, remember—you’ll get through it. What’s something you’ve overcome recently that made you realize how strong you are?
26. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
When you know your purpose, even the toughest struggles feel manageable. It’s about having something meaningful that drives you forward. Your “why” can be the anchor when the “how” seems overwhelming.
27. “You are stronger than you know. More capable than you ever dreamed. And you are loved more than you could possibly imagine.” — Unknown
Sometimes we forget our own strength. This quote feels like a warm reminder that we’re capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for—and we don’t have to go through struggles alone.
It’s reassuring to remember that support and love are always there, even in the hardest times.
Wrapping up…
As we wrap up, remember that life’s struggles are not roadblocks but stepping stones on your journey.
The inspirational quotes we’ve shared are more than just words—they’re lifelines to hold onto when the going gets tough. Keep them close, revisit them often, and let them remind you of your inner strength and resilience.
Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow, learn, and become a stronger version of yourself.
So when adversity knocks, stand tall and keep moving forward. And don’t forget to share these quotes with someone who might need a little extra encouragement today. Together, we can turn obstacles into opportunities and keep each other inspired along the way.
