
Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. — Orison Swett Marden
—What lingers after this line?
Redefining Success
This quote challenges the conventional metrics of success, such as wealth or achievements. Instead, it suggests that true success is gauged by the difficulties one has faced and the perseverance shown in overcoming those challenges.
Value of Adversity
It highlights the importance of encountering opposition and adversity. Facing challenges is portrayed as a crucial component of the journey toward success, as it tests and strengthens one's determination and character.
Courage and Resilience
The quote underscores the role of courage and resilience in achieving success. It encourages maintaining the struggle and continuing to strive forward, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Persistence in the Face of Overwhelming Odds
The emphasis on 'overwhelming odds' serves to highlight that real success stories often involve significant struggles. Overcoming these barriers demonstrates a higher level of achievement than mere accomplishments alone.
Philosophical and Motivational Angle
Orison Swett Marden, an American inspirational author and founder of Success magazine, often wrote about personal development and motivation. This quote reflects his philosophy that true success is inherently tied to one's character and the courage to persist.
Recommended Reading
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
One-minute reflection
Where does this idea show up in your life right now?
Related Quotes
6 selectedSuccess is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. — Orison Swett Marden
Orison Swett Marden
This quote redefines success not as a final achievement or accomplishment, but by the challenges faced during the journey towards one's goals, and how one handles setbacks and adversities along the way.
Read full interpretation →Measure success by the courage to begin again, not by the height of the peak. — John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck’s line pivots success away from a dramatic summit and toward a quieter, repeatable act: beginning again. Instead of treating achievement as a single, towering “peak,” he frames it as a measure of resilienc...
Read full interpretation →The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you. — William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan’s statement reverses a common assumption: people often wait to feel confident before acting, yet he argues that confidence is actually built afterward. In this view, self-belief does not appear mag...
Read full interpretation →Even when you have doubts, take that step. Take chances. Mistakes are never just mistakes—they're lessons. — Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s quote begins with a striking premise: doubt does not have to disappear before action begins. In fact, she suggests that uncertainty is often the very condition under which courage becomes meaningful.
Read full interpretation →Emotional strength is not about suppressing feelings, but about having the courage to feel them. — Brené Brown
Brené Brown
At first glance, emotional strength is often mistaken for stoicism—the ability to remain untouched, unreadable, and perfectly controlled. Yet Brené Brown’s quote overturns that assumption by suggesting that true strength...
Read full interpretation →To know what you want to do and to do it is the same courage. — Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard
At first glance, Kierkegaard’s line seems to separate thought from action, yet it quickly reunites them under a single demand: courage. To know what one truly wants is not a passive discovery, because genuine self-knowle...
Read full interpretation →More From Author
More from Orison Swett Marden →Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds. — Orison Swett Marden
This quote redefines success not as a final achievement or accomplishment, but by the challenges faced during the journey towards one's goals, and how one handles setbacks and adversities along the way.
Read full interpretation →Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do. — Orison Swett Marden
This quote underscores the importance of having unwavering faith in oneself. Believing wholeheartedly in your abilities is crucial for achieving your goals and fulfilling your destiny.
Read full interpretation →