--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather…" description: "\"Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the nail; the farther 'tis hammered, the firmer it holds.\" — Ivan Panin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg" --- # Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the… ![“Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the nail; the farther 'tis hammered, the firmer it holds.” quote by Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg) > “Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the nail; the farther 'tis hammered, the firmer it holds.” [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adversity strengthens resolve; the more pressure, the firmer one stands. **In simple terms:** Hardship makes you stronger. Key Takeaway Endure pressure to build resilience. Themes adversity strength perseverance Mood determined serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership challenges - personal trials - team dynamics Key Concepts resilience character building Questions to Reflect On - When has pressure helped you grow? - When does it become harmful? A Different Perspective Excessive pressure can cause breakdown. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Firmer Holds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firmer-holds-3179117/) [Hammered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammered/) [Hammered Firmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammered-firmer-3179115/) [Let Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-adversity-606575/) [Nail Farther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nail-farther-3179114/) [Nails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nails/) [Thee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thee/) [Unto Nail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unto-nail-3179116/) ## Related quotes > [Do not let adversity break you. Think of it as a learning experience that will make you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-allred/do-not-let-adversity-break-you-think-of-it-as-a-learning-experience/) [Gloria Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-allred/) > [Give advice; if people don't listen, let adversity teach them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethiopian-proverb/give-advice-if-people-don-t-listen-let-adversity-teach-them/) [Ethiopian Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethiopian-proverb/) > [“Look on the bright side and don't let adversity keep you from winning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-dominique-le-maire/look-on-the-bright-side-and-don-t-let-adversity-keep-you-from-winning/) [Nicole Dominique Le Maire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-dominique-le-maire/) > [The more obstacles you encounter, the harder you must fight to meet your destiny. Never let adversity win. Never give up on yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-weir/the-more-obstacles-you-encounter-the-harder-you-must-fight-to-meet/) [Ingrid Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-weir/) > [I refuse to let adversity allow me to be average.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-refuse-to-let-adversity-allow-me-to-be-average/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [Never let adversity deter you from your dream that are really your destination. Keep your self motivated and willingness to take every situation by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/never-let-adversity-deter-you-from-your-dream-that-are-really-your/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [When I first was on Big Time Rush, the TV show, I did a lot of silly things. Among the first episodes that came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-maslow/when-i-first-was-on-big-time-rush-the-tv-show-i-did-a-lot-of-silly/) [James Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-maslow/) > [Passion, manners, and 80 ounces of beer will win the heart of any woman. And if it doesn't, you'll be too hammered to remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/passion-manners-and-80-ounces-of-beer-will-win-the-heart-of-any-woman/) [Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/) > [Well, I really want to encourage a kind of fantasy, a kind of magic. I love the term magic realism, whoever invented it –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-gilliam/well-i-really-want-to-encourage-a-kind-of-fantasy-a-kind-of-magic-i/) [Terry Gilliam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-gilliam/) > [I hammered him with my fists. He just stood and took it. He didn't suffer graciously, he looked pissed off to no end. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-hammered-him-with-my-fists-he-just-stood-and-took-it-he-didn-t/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Rock pools, so-named because they have been hammered out of rocks at the ocean's edge, are one of Sydney's defining characteristics, along with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/rock-pools-so-named-because-they-have-been-hammered-out-of-rocks-at/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [Growing up going to Christian school and the concept that you're born a sinner and you don't really have a choice to change who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/growing-up-going-to-christian-school-and-the-concept-that-you-re-born/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Greek is the embodiment of the fluent speech that runs or soars, the speech of a people which could not help giving winged feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/havelock-ellis/greek-is-the-embodiment-of-the-fluent-speech-that-runs-or-soars-the/) [Havelock Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/havelock-ellis/) > [One cannot overstate the childishness of the ideas that feed and stir the masses. Real ideas must as a rule be simplified to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-haffner/one-cannot-overstate-the-childishness-of-the-ideas-that-feed-and-stir/) [Sebastian Haffner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-haffner/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bradshaw/you-can-t-dodge-them-all-i-got-hammered-plenty-of-times-through-the/) [Terry Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bradshaw/) ## More by Ivan Panin > [From the moment we expect gratitude, we forfeit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/from-the-moment-we-expect-gratitude-we-forfeit-it/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Experience is the only good 'tis safer to borrow than to buy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/experience-is-the-only-good-tis-safer-to-borrow-than-to-buy/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [“Foe every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.For every love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/foe-every-beauty-there-is-an-eye-somewhere-to-see-it-for-every-truth/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [As the paper though it entereth the press white, yet when it cometh forth black is eagerly sought to be perused; so do thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/as-the-paper-though-it-entereth-the-press-white-yet-when-it-cometh/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [The best way to deceive a knave is to tell him the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/the-best-way-to-deceive-a-knave-is-to-tell-him-the-truth/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [How adversity doth ope the eye! A moon can be seen by day as well as by night; but, to see the stars, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/how-adversity-doth-ope-the-eye-a-moon-can-be-seen-by-day-as-well-as/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Experience, if we only learn by it, is cheap at any price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/experience-if-we-only-learn-by-it-is-cheap-at-any-price/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [We are not men, but promises of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/we-are-not-men-but-promises-of-men/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [The wise man hath his thoughts in his head; the fool, on his tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/the-wise-man-hath-his-thoughts-in-his-head-the-fool-on-his-tongue/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Hast thou fallen? Do not groan and lament: rather be thankful for the opportunity given thee to rise once more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/hast-thou-fallen-do-not-groan-and-lament-rather-be-thankful-for-the/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [A half-truth does more mischief than a whole lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/a-half-truth-does-more-mischief-than-a-whole-lie/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Whether I shall be unfortunate depends also on others; whether I shall be unhappy depends only on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/whether-i-shall-be-unfortunate-depends-also-on-others-whether-i-shall/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Love is not like the echo, which returneth only what is given; but, rather, like the pump, which returneth by the pail what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/love-is-not-like-the-echo-which-returneth-only-what-is-given-but/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Love has the face of a goddess, but the talons of a lion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/love-has-the-face-of-a-goddess-but-the-talons-of-a-lion/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) > [Our comforts come from God; our sorrows, from ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/our-comforts-come-from-god-our-sorrows-from-ourselves/) [Ivan Panin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) [Explore all 48 Ivan Panin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/) ## 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": "Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the nail; the farther 'tis hammered, the firmer it holds.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ivan Panin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather-like-unto-the-nail-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adversity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather-like-unto-the-nail-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/ivan-panin-14000_adversity_let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather_1140697.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Let not adversity oppress thee: be rather like unto the nail; the farther 'tis hammered, the firmer it holds.” — Ivan Panin", "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": "Ivan Panin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-panin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Let not adversity oppress thee: be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather-like-unto-the-nail-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-panin/let-not-adversity-oppress-thee-be-rather-like-unto-the-nail-the/#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 } } ] } ```