Wilma Mankiller Quotes

No matter where you go, poor people have the capacity to endure. Some people even compliment us on it, as if endurance is all we can achieve.

Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward.

In terrible moments, in moments of revolution, of war or repression, of illness or death, people react with incredible strength.

Why, Tom - us people will go on livin' when all them people is gone. Why, Tom, we're the people that live. They ain't gonna wipe us out. Why, we're the people - we go on.' 'We take a beatin' all the time.' 'I know.' Ma chuckled. 'Maybe that makes us tough. Rich fellas come up an' they die, an' their kids ain't no good, an' they die out. But, Tom, we keep a-comin'. Don' you fret none, Tom. A different time's comin'.

Hardships and handicaps can...stimulate our energy to survive them. You'll find if you study the lives of people who've accomplished things, it's often been done with the help of great willpower in overcoming this and that.

I hope my life is a testimony to show people no matter what you go through, how many hurdles are placed in front of you, how many bumps and bruises you get, to pick yourself up and be resilient and keep on trucking.

Books are an attempt to control something that's uncontrollable. That's one of the beauties of African American life. There was this thing called slavery and adjustments were made. It literally destroyed millions, but it didn't destroy the inner lives of all the people who experienced it. There are still horrible things that go on because of the myth of race, but we don't have to succumb totally. If I had only a negative side of things to present, I think I would have much less of a drive to do it. Because what would be the point?

Through these adversities, Israel has endured with continued strength, conviction, and faith.

We may be in a tough time right now, but when we are in a tough time is when our movement gets really strong.

I think I'm a survivor. I could have suffered at least 100 professional deaths. I could come up with a list of the 100 times I've come closest to death, from having pneumonia as a child to car crashes.

Adversity is the diamond dust Heaven polishes its jewels with.

If you're actually talking to someone who's been through a disastrous number of years, that only means one thing: They survived it.

We've had some tough times, but we've hung in there.

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

You can't dodge them all. I got hammered plenty of times through the years. But you just get up and keep playing. I can tell you from experience, though. Sometimes it hurts like hell.

The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.

Being born and raised in Chicago made me tough. It made me strong. I feel like I can deal with anything. I truly believe that in my heart.

Survival is the main objective. There are going to be some awful days, I know that from my background in the sport.

I didn't have any of those good assets to have successful teenage years. It was hard. And what saved me was definitely my whole family. I knew where I was coming from and where I was going to.

Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.

It is in the midst of disasters that bold men grow bolder.

A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace.

Necessity, which even makes cowards brave ...

Remember that the storm is a good opportunity for the pine and the cypress to show their strength and their stability.

Adversity is an opportunity for growth. And an opportunity to really know who your friends are.