--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked…" description: "\"Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family, faced defeat th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/dave-winfield-19274_abraham_everybody-faces-obstacles-and-i-looked-t_53713.jpg" --- # Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had… ![“Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family, faced defeat through most of his life. Lost eight elections, failed two businesses, had a nervous breakdown, and still became president.” quote by Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/dave-winfield-19274_abraham_everybody-faces-obstacles-and-i-looked-t_53713.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/dave-winfield-19274_abraham_everybody-faces-obstacles-and-i-looked-t_53713.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/dave-winfield-19274_abraham_everybody-faces-obstacles-and-i-looked-t_53713.jpg) > “Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family, faced defeat through most of his life. Lost eight elections, failed two businesses, had a nervous breakdown, and still became president.” [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perseverance despite repeated failures leads to eventual success, illustrating that setbacks are part of the journey toward achievement. **In simple terms:** Resilience turns setbacks into triumphs. Key Takeaway Persistence beats adversity. Themes Resilience Perseverance Failure Success Historical Example Mood Inspirational Reflective Determined Type Anecdotal Historical Motivational When to use this quote - Political career setbacks - Entrepreneurial failures - Personal crises - Career pivots - Public scrutiny Key Concepts Growth mindset Overcoming obstacles Leadership Practical Applications - Motivational speaking - Leadership training Questions to Reflect On - What personal setbacks can you reframe as stepping stones? - How does viewing failure as a learning tool change your approach? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abraham/) [Abraham lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abraham-lincoln/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Breakdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breakdown/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Eight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eight/) [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Faced Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faced-defeat-753254/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Faces Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces-obstacles-726495/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln/) [Lincoln Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lincoln-born-753255/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) [Nervous breakdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous-breakdown/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Poor family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-family/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [When faced with defeat, rise to your feet!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-dre/when-faced-with-defeat-rise-to-your-feet/) [Dr. Dre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-dre/) > [“At the age of  21 Lincoln failed in business... at age 22 he was defeated in a legislative race... at age 24 he failed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-newton/at-the-age-of-21-lincoln-failed-in-business-at-age-22-he-was-defeated/) [Dave Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-newton/) > [“any time I feel like quitting, I just look at a framed poster I have hanging in our office: • He failed in business in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-lisa-harding/any-time-i-feel-like-quitting-i-just-look-at-a-framed-poster-i-have/) [Mona Lisa Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-lisa-harding/) > [“Why ignore the opportunities that arise along the way? Bravely faces the obstacles, drawbacks and move the sterile field in which you are located.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piro-j-m/why-ignore-the-opportunities-that-arise-along-the-way-bravely-faces/) [Piro J.M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piro-j-m/) > [Corky is the one who never gives up. I never gave up. He faces obstacles, and he couldn't always reach his goals. But he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-burke/corky-is-the-one-who-never-gives-up-i-never-gave-up-he-faces/) [Chris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-burke/) > [Everyone in life faces obstacles. That's what made me who I am. I don't regret to have been bullied because probably if I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/everyone-in-life-faces-obstacles-that-s-what-made-me-who-i-am-i-don-t/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Every country faces its own obstacles to reaching gender equality, and to make a real difference, we must change public policies in tandem with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-angel-gurria/every-country-faces-its-own-obstacles-to-reaching-gender-equality-and/) [Jose Angel Gurria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-angel-gurria/) > [“It's amazing how quickly your life can chance, for the better or worse. That was the thing about life: you never knew what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missy-johnson/it-s-amazing-how-quickly-your-life-can-chance-for-the-better-or-worse/) [Missy Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missy-johnson/) > [My inspiration comes from many sources, and one of those sources is precisely the maison Versace. When I was a little boy, my family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riccardo-tisci/my-inspiration-comes-from-many-sources-and-one-of-those-sources-is/) [Riccardo Tisci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riccardo-tisci/) > [When you look at guys who get recruited, most of the best athletes, they come from poor families. I don't forget. I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-dickerson/when-you-look-at-guys-who-get-recruited-most-of-the-best-athletes/) [Eric Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-dickerson/) > [You all have your own distinct personal backgrounds. Of course some of you come from rich families, some from poor families. But circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koushun-takami/you-all-have-your-own-distinct-personal-backgrounds-of-course-some-of/) [Koushun Takami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koushun-takami/) > [I came from a poor family. My father was from Glasgow, Scotland; my mother's brothers were brakemen on the railroad. We didn't have anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rooney/i-came-from-a-poor-family-my-father-was-from-glasgow-scotland-my/) [Mickey Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rooney/) > [“Work by Martha Farah of the University of Pennsylvania, Tom Boyce of UCSF, and others demonstrates something outrageous: By age five, the lower a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/work-by-martha-farah-of-the-university-of-pennsylvania-tom-boyce-of/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [“I like nature and I enjoy walking through the forest admiring its beauty and breathing not just the fresh air but, also the quietness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-j-genes/i-like-nature-and-i-enjoy-walking-through-the-forest-admiring-its/) [Nico J. Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-j-genes/) > [It is a tribute to Indian democracy that a person from a poor family, an ordinary family, is today addressing the nation from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/it-is-a-tribute-to-indian-democracy-that-a-person-from-a-poor-family/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) ## More by Dave Winfield > [Everyone has a breaking point, turning point, stress point, the game is permeated with it. The fans don't see it because we make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/everyone-has-a-breaking-point-turning-point-stress-point-the-game-is/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [People I look to: again, Hank Aaron, man you challenged the status quo and the records of the game. Monumental feats in an era…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/people-i-look-to-again-hank-aaron-man-you-challenged-the-status-quo/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [All though I didn't meet him. His legend and his saga and his story is just that. Jackie Robinson, we all have to tip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/all-though-i-didn-t-meet-him-his-legend-and-his-saga-and-his-story-is/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [But I'll tell you this, it started with my mother. I have to give her. God bless her and rest her soul. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/but-i-ll-tell-you-this-it-started-with-my-mother-i-have-to-give-her/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [I went to jail. I looked like one of those savings-and-loan guys leaving the jail house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/i-went-to-jail-i-looked-like-one-of-those-savings-and-loan-guys/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [You know, many of you kids can't relate to what it takes to get to the top rung, the top of the heap, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/you-know-many-of-you-kids-can-t-relate-to-what-it-takes-to-get-to-the/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [I chose baseball because to me baseball is the best game of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/i-chose-baseball-because-to-me-baseball-is-the-best-game-of-all/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [I never had to cheat, I get them with what I got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/i-never-had-to-cheat-i-get-them-with-what-i-got/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [You know, heroes are ordinary people that have achieved extraordinary things in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/you-know-heroes-are-ordinary-people-that-have-achieved-extraordinary/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [Good hitters don't just go up and swing. They always have a plan. Call it an educated deduction. You visualize. You're like a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/good-hitters-don-t-just-go-up-and-swing-they-always-have-a-plan-call/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [I'm just glad to get off three-hundred ninety-nine (career home runs). It sounds like something you'd purchase at a discount store.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/i-m-just-glad-to-get-off-three-hundred-ninety-nine-career-home-runs/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [To give you an idea what it feels like to be going in with some of the best baseball players of all-time, I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/to-give-you-an-idea-what-it-feels-like-to-be-going-in-with-some-of/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [I guess I'm the only guy old enough to figure him (Nolan Ryan, 1-Hitter Game in 1991) out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/i-guess-i-m-the-only-guy-old-enough-to-figure-him-nolan-ryan-1-hitter/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [You have to be like a clock spring, wound but not loose at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/you-have-to-be-like-a-clock-spring-wound-but-not-loose-at-the-same/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) > [And then 45 years later, as I finished my career in the great city of Cleveland, that was another great way to end my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/and-then-45-years-later-as-i-finished-my-career-in-the-great-city-of/) [Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) [Explore all 33 Dave Winfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/) ## More Abraham quotes > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [Hebron is a bone of contention between Israeli settlers and the Palestinians in part because Abraham is buried there, in the Tomb of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/hebron-is-a-bone-of-contention-between-israeli-settlers-and-the/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [Donald Trump is not going to be the nominee, because we are not going to allow - people will wake up and we're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/donald-trump-is-not-going-to-be-the-nominee-because-we-are-not-going/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“Never you look down on your Abraham because of your Sarah because the blessing is not in the womb of Sarah but in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ikechukwu-izuakor/never-you-look-down-on-your-abraham-because-of-your-sarah-because-the/) [Ikechukwu Izuakor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ikechukwu-izuakor/) > [“Whatever you are, be a good one.”   Abraham Lincoln”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rriiver-nyile/whatever-you-are-be-a-good-one-abraham-lincoln/) [Rriiver Nyile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rriiver-nyile/) > [Moses was a great leader, right? But he wasn't a great communicator. And so God sent him Aaron so he could, let's say, communicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/moses-was-a-great-leader-right-but-he-wasn-t-a-great-communicator-and/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [“king of Heshbon. 6 b Moses, the servant of the”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/king-of-heshbon-6-b-moses-the-servant-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In the end, thought Sol, past logic and hope, it is dreams and the love of those dearest to us that form Abraham’s answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/in-the-end-thought-sol-past-logic-and-hope-it-is-dreams-and-the-love/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [It was psychobabbler Abraham Maslow who wrote of the phenomena of self-actualization. What Maslow failed to grasp is that reaching true self-actualization can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/it-was-psychobabbler-abraham-maslow-who-wrote-of-the-phenomena-of/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [“Mungu hutumia watu 'wajinga' na 'wapumbavu' kufanya mambo makubwa katika maisha yao na ya watu wengine. Katika Biblia, Musa aliitwa mjinga alipokiuka amri ya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/mungu-hutumia-watu-wajinga-na-wapumbavu-kufanya-mambo-makubwa-katika/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [“9. Abraham’s death (25:1 – 11) After Sarah’s death, Abraham took another wife, Keturah. Abraham was a rejuvenated old man and continued to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-sailhamer/9-abraham-s-death-25-1-11-after-sarah-s-death-abraham-took-another/) [John H. Sailhamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-h-sailhamer/) > [“The biblical story of the binding of Isaac shows that human sacrifice was far from unthinkable in the 1st millennium BCE. The Israelites boasted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-biblical-story-of-the-binding-of-isaac-shows-that-human-sacrifice/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [Someone asked me...how it felt and I was reminded of a story that a fellow townsman of ours used to tell--Abraham Lincoln. They asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/someone-asked-me-how-it-felt-and-i-was-reminded-of-a-story-that-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [American foreign policy and military might have opened an opportunity for the Gospel in the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-stanley/american-foreign-policy-and-military-might-have-opened-an-opportunity/) [Charles Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-stanley/) > [What began as a bitter dispute over Union and States' Rights, ended as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America. At Gettysburg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-catton/what-began-as-a-bitter-dispute-over-union-and-states-rights-ended-as/) [Bruce Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-catton/) [Browse all 484 Abraham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abraham/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family, faced defeat through most of his life. 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