On Adversity

Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew and choke as much as possible.

— Cato the Younger

via Plutarch, Life of Cato the Younger

Necessity teaches even the weak to be brave.

— Cato the Younger

Attributed via Plutarch

Men are born to suffer, but not all bear it with virtue.

— Cato the Younger

Attributed via Plutarch

True understanding is to see the events of life in this way: You are put in their way so that you may learn from them, not moan.

— Marcus Aurelius

Meditations 10.3

To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.

— Seneca

On the Happy Life 15.5

Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember.

— Seneca

Letters 78.15

Exercise strengthens the body; hardship strengthens the soul.

— Musonius Rufus

Lectures 6

It is contrary to nature to be moved by grief.

— Zeno of Citium

Fragment, in Diogenes Laertius 7.117

Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.

— Marcus Aurelius

Meditations 11.18

As for life, it is a battle and a sojourning in a strange land; but the fame that comes after is oblivion.

— Marcus Aurelius

Meditations 2.17