20 Perseverance Quotes to Overcome Obstacles

Life is a journey filled with challenges, setbacks and obstacles that can sometimes feel insurmountable.

In these moments, the power of perseverance becomes our greatest ally.

It’s the unwavering determination to keep moving forward, even when the path ahead seems unclear or daunting.

Perseverance is not just about enduring hardships; it’s about growing stronger through them, learning from each experience and emerging more resilient on the other side.

Perseverance Quotes to Overcome Obstacles

Whether you’re facing personal struggles, professional hurdles, or life-altering decisions, the following 20 quotes on perseverance will inspire you to keep pushing forward, reminding you that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and that success often lies just beyond our comfort zone.


1. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” – Vince Lombardi

This powerful quote from legendary football coach Vince Lombardi emphasizes that success is not solely determined by one’s abilities or knowledge, but by their willpower and determination.

It reminds us that perseverance often makes the difference between achieving our goals and falling short.

When faced with challenges, it’s our resolve and commitment that propel us forward, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.

2. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein

Einstein’s humble reflection on his success highlights the importance of persistence in problem-solving and innovation.

This quote suggests that breakthroughs often come not from innate genius, but from a willingness to grapple with challenges long after others have given up.

It encourages us to view difficult problems as opportunities for growth and discovery, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

3. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

Edison’s perspective on failure reframes setbacks as stepping stones to success.

This quote reminds us that each unsuccessful attempt is not a defeat, but a valuable lesson that brings us closer to our goals.

It encourages a mindset of experimentation and resilience, where “failures” are seen as necessary parts of the innovation process.

4. “The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” – Charles Kingsleigh (Alice in Wonderland)

This quote from the beloved story of Alice in Wonderland speaks to the power of belief in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.

It suggests that our perception of what’s possible often limits our achievements.

By expanding our beliefs about what we can accomplish, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and solutions we might otherwise overlook.

5. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

Confucius‘s wisdom reminds us that progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.

This quote encourages persistence and patience, emphasizing that the key to success is not speed, but consistency.

It’s a comforting reminder for those times when we feel we’re not moving forward fast enough, urging us to focus on continuous effort rather than immediate results.

6. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

Churchill’s words encapsulate the essence of perseverance in the face of both success and failure.

This quote reminds us that neither our triumphs nor our setbacks define us; instead, it’s our ability to keep moving forward that truly matters.

It encourages a balanced perspective on life’s ups and downs, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the long run.

7. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

Mandela’s profound statement highlights the value of resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity.

This quote suggests that true strength and character are revealed not in avoiding failures, but in how we respond to them.

It encourages us to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and to take pride in our ability to overcome challenges.

8. “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliot

Elliot’s perspective on perseverance breaks down the daunting nature of long-term goals into more manageable pieces.

This quote reminds us that enduring perseverance is often the result of consistently overcoming smaller challenges.

It encourages us to focus on the immediate tasks at hand, tackling our goals one step at a time, rather than becoming overwhelmed by the big picture.

9. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan

Basketball legend Michael Jordan‘s words emphasize the importance of effort over outcome.

This quote reminds us that while failure is a natural part of any journey, the real failure lies in not making an attempt at all.

It encourages us to embrace challenges and take risks, knowing that the act of trying is valuable in itself, regardless of the immediate result.

10. “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” – Randy Pausch

Pausch’s metaphor of brick walls as challenges reframes obstacles as tests of our determination.

This quote suggests that difficulties are not meant to discourage us, but to reveal our true level of commitment to our goals.

It encourages us to view challenges as opportunities to demonstrate our passion and perseverance, rather than as insurmountable barriers.

11. “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” – James A. Michener

Michener’s insight highlights the importance of persistence in shaping our character.

This quote suggests that our true nature is revealed not in our initial attempts, but in how we respond to repeated setbacks.

It encourages us to keep trying, even when faced with multiple failures, as these continued efforts are what ultimately define us and lead to success.

12. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb

This concise Japanese proverb encapsulates the essence of resilience and perseverance.

It reminds us that the number of times we fall is less important than the number of times we get back up.

This quote encourages an indomitable spirit, urging us to always rise one more time than we fall, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

13. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison

Edison’s observation serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of persistence.

This quote suggests that success might be just around the corner, even when things seem most difficult.

It encourages us to push through moments of doubt and frustration, as we may be closer to our goals than we realize.

14. “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” – Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews’ definition of perseverance highlights the iterative nature of success.

This quote reminds us that perseverance often involves multiple attempts and failures before achieving our goals.

It encourages a mindset that views setbacks as part of the process, rather than as reasons to give up, emphasizing that success often comes to those who are willing to keep trying.

15. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi

Another gem from Vince Lombardi, this quote focuses on the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

It reminds us that everyone faces setbacks, but what truly matters is our response to these challenges.

This perspective encourages us to view getting knocked down as an inevitable part of life and to focus our energy on getting back up and moving forward.

16. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius

This wise saying from Confucius emphasizes the power of taking small, consistent actions towards our goals.

It reminds us that even the most daunting tasks can be accomplished through persistent effort over time.

This quote encourages us to break down our big goals into smaller, manageable tasks and to celebrate the progress made with each “small stone” we move.

17. “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – John Quincy Adams

Adams’ words highlight the transformative power of persistent effort over time.

This quote suggests that with enough patience and perseverance, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome.

It encourages a long-term perspective on our goals, reminding us that consistent effort can lead to seemingly magical results.

18. “The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.” – John C. Maxwell

Maxwell’s straightforward statement underscores the critical role of persistence in achieving success.

This quote reminds us that as long as we continue to make efforts towards our goals, the possibility of success remains alive.

It encourages us to view continued effort as the key to avoiding failure, motivating us to keep pushing forward even when faced with setbacks.

19. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton

Hilton’s observation links success directly to persistent action.

This quote emphasizes that successful individuals are not those who avoid mistakes, but those who continue to move forward despite them.

It encourages a mindset of continuous action and learning from failures, rather than being paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.

20. “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” – Unknown

This powerful reminder speaks to the importance of staying connected to our core motivations.

In moments of doubt or exhaustion, recalling the reasons behind our initial commitment can reignite our determination.

This quote encourages us to reflect on our deeper purposes and values, using them as fuel to persevere through challenging times.

Read Also: 80 Perseverance Quotes on Never Giving Up


In conclusion, these 20 quotes on perseverance offer a wealth of wisdom and inspiration for overcoming obstacles and pushing forward towards our goals.

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Chandan Negi
Chandan Negi

I’m the Founder of InternetPillar.com and InboxQuotes.com - I love sharing inspirational quotes and motivational content to inspire and motivate people - #quotes #motivation #internetpillar #inboxquotes