“Courage is not something that you already have that makes you brave when the tough times start. Courage is what you earn when you’ve been through the tough times and you discover they aren’t so tough after all.” – Malcolm Gladwell

“So please ask yourself: ‘What would I do if I weren’t afraid?’ And then go do it.” – Sheryl Sandberg

“It’s one of the secrets of strength: We’re so much more likely to find it in the service of others than in service to ourselves.” – David Levithan

“Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.” – Niccolo Machiavelli

“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” – Plato

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” – St. Francis De Sales

“You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.” – Publilius Syrus

“Between grief and nothing, I will take grief.” – William Faulkner

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

“Take pride in your pain…you are stronger than those who have none.” – Lois Lowry