---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By prevailing over all obstacles and…"
description: "\"By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.\" — Christopher Columbus"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg"
---

#  By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may…

![“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” quote by Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg)

> “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.”

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Overcoming obstacles and distractions leads inevitably to achieving one’s intended destination.

**In simple terms:** Persistence clears the path to goals.

Key Takeaway

Stay focused on your aim.

Themes

determination goal‑setting resilience

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- career planning
- academic research
- entrepreneurship
- personal projects

Key Concepts

strategic planning self‑discipline

Questions to Reflect On

- What distractions most threaten your progress?
- How can you build safeguards against setbacks?

A Different Perspective

External forces can still derail progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Chosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chosen/) [Chosen Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chosen-goal-642488/) [Destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) [Distractions Unfailingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distractions-unfailingly-6110105/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-destination-1228816/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Obstacles Distractions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles-distractions-6110104/) [Prevailing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevailing/) [Prevailing Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevailing-obstacles-6110103/) [Road](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/road/)

## Related quotes

> [I claim my heart's desire, and I choose my direction. I will attain my chosen goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/i-claim-my-heart-s-desire-and-i-choose-my-direction-i-will-attain-my/)

[Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/)

> [You get lost because you think there is somewhere to go. If you give up believing in a goal or a destination, then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/you-get-lost-because-you-think-there-is-somewhere-to-go-if-you-give/)

[Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/)

> [Growing up, being a rapper wasn't my goal, but it became my destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dom-kennedy/growing-up-being-a-rapper-wasn-t-my-goal-but-it-became-my-destination/)

[Dom Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dom-kennedy/)

> [“The mark of a short-sighted goal is that it is solely designed to achieve whatever needs to be achieved as a means of achieving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-mark-of-a-short-sighted-goal-is-that-it-is-solely-designed-to/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [The prevailing ideology of the modern west - which is political economy - is in the doghouse. Having failed to notice atmospheric pollution, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buchan/the-prevailing-ideology-of-the-modern-west-which-is-political-economy/)

[James Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buchan/)

> [I disagree with the prevailing point of view of some black leaders that special treatment for blacks is acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-disagree-with-the-prevailing-point-of-view-of-some-black-leaders/)

[Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/)

> [and while faith based on theological reasoning is today universally engaged in a bitter struggle with doubt and resistance from the prevailing brand of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/and-while-faith-based-on-theological-reasoning-is-today-universally/)

[Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/)

> [I'm afraid that in the United States of America today the prevailing doctrine of justification is not justification by faith alone. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/i-m-afraid-that-in-the-united-states-of-america-today-the-prevailing/)

[R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/)

> [The history of prevailing status quos shows decay and decadence infecting the opulent materialism of the Haves. The spiritual life of the Haves is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-history-of-prevailing-status-quos-shows-decay-and-decadence/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We desire peace. However, if imperialism insists on fighting a war, we will have no alternative but to take the firm resolution to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/we-desire-peace-however-if-imperialism-insists-on-fighting-a-war-we/)

[Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/)

> [Whoever considers the number of absurd and ridiculous oaths necessary to be taken at present in most countries, on being admitted into any society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillaume-thomas-francois-raynal/whoever-considers-the-number-of-absurd-and-ridiculous-oaths-necessary/)

[Guillaume Thomas Francois Raynal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillaume-thomas-francois-raynal/)

> [The prevailing attitude of the speakers was one of heavy disagreement with a number of things which the reader had not said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-knox/the-prevailing-attitude-of-the-speakers-was-one-of-heavy-disagreement/)

[Ronald Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-knox/)

> [I feel safe even in the midst of my enemies; for the truth is powerful and will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sojourner-truth/i-feel-safe-even-in-the-midst-of-my-enemies-for-the-truth-is-powerful/)

[Sojourner Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sojourner-truth/)

> [The prevailing notion is that the state should be neutral as to religion, and furthermore, that the best way to be neutral about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sobran/the-prevailing-notion-is-that-the-state-should-be-neutral-as-to/)

[Joseph Sobran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sobran/)

> [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/)

[J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/)

## More by Christopher Columbus

> [For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/for-the-execution-of-the-voyage-to-the-indies-i-did-not-make-use-of/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/the-air-soft-as-that-of-seville-in-april-and-so-fragrant-that-it-was/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [And your Highnesses, as Catholic Christians and Princes, devoted to the holy Christian faith and the propagation thereof - and enemies of the sect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/and-your-highnesses-as-catholic-christians-and-princes-devoted-to-the/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [“The sea will grant each man new hope The sleep brings dreams of home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/the-sea-will-grant-each-man-new-hope-the-sleep-brings-dreams-of-home/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Your Highnesses have an Other World here, by which our holy faith can be so greatly advanced and from which such great wealth can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/your-highnesses-have-an-other-world-here-by-which-our-holy-faith-can/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Thanks be to God," says the Admiral, "the air is soft as in April in Seville, and it is a pleasure to be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/thanks-be-to-god-says-the-admiral-the-air-is-soft-as-in-april-in/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [It is true that after they have been reassured and have lost this fear, they are so artless and so free with all they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/it-is-true-that-after-they-have-been-reassured-and-have-lost-this/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [The Admiral says that he never beheld so fair a thing: trees all along the river, beautiful and green, and different from ours, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/the-admiral-says-that-he-never-beheld-so-fair-a-thing-trees-all-along/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Of this voyage, I observe," says the Admiral, "that it has miraculously been shown, as may be understood by this writing, by the many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/of-this-voyage-i-observe-says-the-admiral-that-it-has-miraculously/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Sailed this day nineteen leagues, and determined to count less than the true number, that the crew might not be dismayed if the voyage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/sailed-this-day-nineteen-leagues-and-determined-to-count-less-than/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [For this purpose I determined to keep an account of the voyage, and to write down punctually every thing we performed or saw from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/for-this-purpose-i-determined-to-keep-an-account-of-the-voyage-and-to/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [And I say that Your Highnesses ought not to consent that any foreigner does business or sets foot here, except Christian Catholics, since this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/and-i-say-that-your-highnesses-ought-not-to-consent-that-any/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [It is easy to discover what another has discovered before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/it-is-easy-to-discover-what-another-has-discovered-before/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [As soon as I arrived in the Indies, in the first island which I found, I took some of the natives by force, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/as-soon-as-i-arrived-in-the-indies-in-the-first-island-which-i-found/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

> [Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/tomorrow-morning-before-we-depart-i-intend-to-land-and-see-what-can/)

[Christopher Columbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

[Explore all 72 Christopher Columbus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/)

## More Adversity quotes

> [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/)

[Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/)

> [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/)

[Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/)

> [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/)

[George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/)

> [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/)

[Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/)

> [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/)

[Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/)

> [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/)

[Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/)

> [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/)

[James Buckham Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buckham-kennedy/)

> [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/)

[Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/)

> [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/)

[Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/)

> [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/)

[Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/)

> [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/)

[S.E. SEVER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-sever/)

> [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/)

[Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/)

> [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Christopher Columbus"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-distractions-one-may-unfailingly/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adversity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-distractions-one-may-unfailingly/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/christopher-columbus-9477_adversity_by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-dis_3230530.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or…” — Christopher Columbus",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Christopher Columbus",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-columbus/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "By prevailing over all obstacles and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-distractions-one-may-unfailingly/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-columbus/by-prevailing-over-all-obstacles-and-distractions-one-may-unfailingly/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
