--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Adversity is a crossroads that makes a…" description: "\"Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_adversity-is-a-crossroads-that-makes-a-p_2294563.jpg" --- # Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one… ![“Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_adversity-is-a-crossroads-that-makes-a-p_2294563.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_adversity-is-a-crossroads-that-makes-a-p_2294563.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_adversity-is-a-crossroads-that-makes-a-p_2294563.jpg) > “Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adversity forces a choice between building character or compromising; choosing character builds strength despite negative outcomes. **In simple terms:** Hard times demand character; it strengthens you. Key Takeaway Choose character over compromise. Themes growth character resilience Mood motivational reflective Type inspirational self-help When to use this quote - leadership training - personal setbacks - career decisions Key Concepts moral development psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to adversity? - What is the cost of character? A Different Perspective Choosing character can have costly consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Adversity Crossroads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity-crossroads-5404979/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-compromise-5404980/) [Character Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-stronger-2684959/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Compromise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compromise/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Crossroads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crossroads/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Negative consequences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-consequences/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stronger/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two paths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-paths/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes in life, from out of a myriad of prosaic decisions like what to eat and where to sleep and how to dress, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/sometimes-in-life-from-out-of-a-myriad-of-prosaic-decisions-like-what/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [I do really believe that all guitarists have a different character that comes through, that's a strong character, the stronger the person is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/i-do-really-believe-that-all-guitarists-have-a-different-character/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [Physically, my character is stronger than him which is totally unrealistic, ... Because in reality he can ... kill me. I think it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/physically-my-character-is-stronger-than-him-which-is-totally/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [Your character should always be stronger than your circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-willis/your-character-should-always-be-stronger-than-your-circumstances/) [Dave Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-willis/) > [There are two paths people can take. 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You have to throw yourself into it and deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/and-if-you-re-gonna-be-a-writer-you-just-truly-have-to-be-a-writer/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle. In many parts of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/modern-society-will-find-no-solution-to-the-ecological-problem-unless/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Our behavior is governed by principles. Living in harmony with them brings positive consequences; violating them brings negative consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/our-behavior-is-governed-by-principles-living-in-harmony-with-them/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To be extremely self-centred, only interested in your own satisfaction, always brings negative consequences in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/to-be-extremely-self-centred-only-interested-in-your-own-satisfaction/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“When you violate the law of growth, your influence winds down, your progress gets arrested, and many more negative consequences...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assegid-habtewold/when-you-violate-the-law-of-growth-your-influence-winds-down-your/) [Assegid Habtewold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assegid-habtewold/) > [Concern for the fate of the great rivers of the earth must lead us to reflect soberly on the model of development which our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/concern-for-the-fate-of-the-great-rivers-of-the-earth-must-lead-us-to/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## 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": "Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one of two paths: character or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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