--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not the events in our life that…" description: "\"It is not the events in our life that define our character, but how we deal with them.\" — Eric Heiden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg" --- # It is not the events in our life that define our… ![“It is not the events in our life that define our character, but how we deal with them.” quote by Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg) > “It is not the events in our life that define our character, but how we deal with them.” [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Character is shaped not by events themselves but by our responses and coping strategies. **In simple terms:** Response defines character, not events. Key Takeaway Focus on constructive responses. Themes character resilience mindset Mood motivational reflective Type self-help philosophical When to use this quote - stress management - adversity coping - leadership training - personal development Key Concepts psychology behavioral science Questions to Reflect On - How do you choose your response? - What habits foster resilience? A Different Perspective Responses can be limited by external constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Define Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/define-character-337079/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Events Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events-life-896448/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Define](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-define/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) ## Related quotes > [I respond very easily to outside events. One's life is a matter of chance. Nothing that you've arranged for yourself works out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-winton/i-respond-very-easily-to-outside-events-one-s-life-is-a-matter-of/) [Nicholas Winton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-winton/) > [Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/every-person-all-the-events-of-your-life-are-there-because-you-have/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [When I can't immediately define the character, and there's an element of mystery to it and still a lot to be explored, that's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/when-i-can-t-immediately-define-the-character-and-there-s-an-element/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [“Our decisions define our lives. We are the people we choose to be in the ways that most matter. Choose wisely. You will live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-hinze/our-decisions-define-our-lives-we-are-the-people-we-choose-to-be-in/) [Vicki Hinze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-hinze/) > [Music helps define the character and is an extension of the character somehow, so that you are able to use both the songs themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandro-nivola/music-helps-define-the-character-and-is-an-extension-of-the-character/) [Alessandro Nivola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandro-nivola/) > [“Your actions define your character, your words define your wisdom, but your treatment of others defines REAL you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayur-ramgir/your-actions-define-your-character-your-words-define-your-wisdom-but/) [Mayur Ramgir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayur-ramgir/) > [“Hard times define one's character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-poirot/hard-times-define-one-s-character/) [Ken Poirot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-poirot/) > [Accept or change; bitter or better, love or selfishness. These are the options in life that will define our character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/accept-or-change-bitter-or-better-love-or-selfishness-these-are-the/) [Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/) > [Anything you put in a play -- any speech -- has got to do one of two things: either define character or push the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/anything-you-put-in-a-play-any-speech-has-got-to-do-one-of-two-things/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [“Social Roles Do Not Define Character; Character Defines Social Roles”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monk-of-yhvh/social-roles-do-not-define-character-character-defines-social-roles/) [monk of YHVH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monk-of-yhvh/) > [Your opinions don't define my character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xeru-tamoyo-ryuko/your-opinions-don-t-define-my-character/) [Xeru Tamoyo Ryuko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xeru-tamoyo-ryuko/) > [Your actions define your character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-actions-define-your-character/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life may burn us, it's how we rise out of the ashes that define our character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/life-may-burn-us-it-s-how-we-rise-out-of-the-ashes-that-define-our/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Go without a coat when it's cold; find out what cold is. Go hungry; keep your existence lean. Wear away the fat, get down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/go-without-a-coat-when-it-s-cold-find-out-what-cold-is-go-hungry-keep/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [There will always be conflict forever and how we deal with conflict is what can help define our character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-owens/there-will-always-be-conflict-forever-and-how-we-deal-with-conflict/) [Rick Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-owens/) ## More by Eric Heiden > [We never did a lot of weights, but a lot of repetitions. The most I would use doing squats was 300 pounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/we-never-did-a-lot-of-weights-but-a-lot-of-repetitions-the-most-i/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [I really liked it best when I was a nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/i-really-liked-it-best-when-i-was-a-nobody/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [When I was skating you had to participate in every thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/when-i-was-skating-you-had-to-participate-in-every-thing/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [I mean you got to thank your parents for giving you the right genes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/i-mean-you-got-to-thank-your-parents-for-giving-you-the-right-genes/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [You don't really want to load up a whole lot, probably anything more than four hours before the race. I needed something to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/you-don-t-really-want-to-load-up-a-whole-lot-probably-anything-more/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [I'd rather get a nice warmup suit. That's something I can use. Gold medals just sit there. When I get old, maybe I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/i-d-rather-get-a-nice-warmup-suit-that-s-something-i-can-use-gold/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [On today's athletes: I wish I could turn back the clock a little bit so I'd have a chance to cut it up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/on-today-s-athletes-i-wish-i-could-turn-back-the-clock-a-little-bit/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [I had the drive to pursue speedskating and I found a sport that I was good at. If I'd got into cycling, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/i-had-the-drive-to-pursue-speedskating-and-i-found-a-sport-that-i-was/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [In general, I enjoy athletes who have a strong character who let their abilities speak for themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/in-general-i-enjoy-athletes-who-have-a-strong-character-who-let-their/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [Heck, gold medals, what can you do with them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/heck-gold-medals-what-can-you-do-with-them/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [It's not a sport you get famous at. If I wanted to be famous, I would have stuck with hockey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/it-s-not-a-sport-you-get-famous-at-if-i-wanted-to-be-famous-i-would/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [They're just big in the eyes of the American public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/they-re-just-big-in-the-eyes-of-the-american-public/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [Cyclists, I work with a number of cyclists. They are great athletes; they are great aerobic athletes. If you ask them to hit a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/cyclists-i-work-with-a-number-of-cyclists-they-are-great-athletes/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [Immediately after the Olympics, I was pretty fatigued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/immediately-after-the-olympics-i-was-pretty-fatigued/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) > [How much you move affects your strength, your power, your balance, how you look, how you think, how well you withstand the high winds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/how-much-you-move-affects-your-strength-your-power-your-balance-how/) [Eric Heiden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) [Explore all 26 Eric Heiden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not the events in our life that define our character, but how we deal with them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Heiden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-define-our-character-but-how-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-define-our-character-but-how-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/eric-heiden-22924_character_it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-de_601700.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not the events in our life that define our character, but how we deal with them.” — Eric Heiden", "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": "Eric Heiden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-heiden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is not the events in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-define-our-character-but-how-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-heiden/it-is-not-the-events-in-our-life-that-define-our-character-but-how-we/#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 } } ] } ```