“Eagles weren’t given wings just to walk everywhere . . . and you weren’t born with resilience and a beautiful mind just to have an easy life.“ — Phil Van Treuren
For Stoics of antiquity, the most admirable and important kind of strength was the type that came from an inner fortitude that was nurtured with discipline and devotion to philosophy. The most difficult trials of our lives come not from physical challenges, but rather from internal struggles that require a different type of strength to weather.
When you read the quotes below, don’t necessarily think of their mentions of strength as having to do with big muscles or the ability to lift heavy things. Yes, philosophers who study Stoicism also think it’s important to take care of our bodies and be healthy, but more important than being physically strong is a hard-won mental toughness.
Stoics also don’t believe that besting another person in battle or overcoming someone else is necessarily a sign of strength. In fact, it often requires an even rarer strength to use empathy and discover a way to live in harmony with our enemies than it does to injure or defeat them. The most important strengths often can’t be seen on the surface.
Stoic Quotes on Strength & Patience from Marcus Aurelius
“Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also.”
“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”
“Because your own strength is unequal to a task, do not assume it is beyond the powers of man.”
“Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple wavers to the dust.”
Stoic Quotes on Strength & Patience from Epictetus
“You have inner strengths that enable you to bear up with difficulties of every kind. You have been given fortitude, courage, and patience. Why should I worry what happens if I am armed with the virtue of fortitude? Nothing can trouble or upset me, or even seem annoying. Instead of meeting misfortune with groans and tears, I will call upon the faculty especially provided to deal with it.”
“Even if we fail here and now, no one stops us from competing again, we don’t have to wait another four years for the next Olympics, but as soon as a man picked himself up and renewed his grip on himself and shown the same enthusiasm he is allowed to compete. And if you give in again, you can compete again, and if once you win, you are like someone who never gave in.”
Stoic Quotes on Strength & Patience from Seneca
“Difficulties strengthen the mind as labor does the body.”
“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.”
“The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution.”