--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack…" description: "\"Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does it.\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60b/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_difficulties-seldom-defeat-people-lack-o_1776873.jpg" --- # Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in… ![“Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does it.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60b/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_difficulties-seldom-defeat-people-lack-o_1776873.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60b/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_difficulties-seldom-defeat-people-lack-o_1776873.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60b/john-c-maxwell-113_adversity_difficulties-seldom-defeat-people-lack-o_1776873.jpg) > “Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does it.” [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. People often fail because they doubt their own abilities rather than facing external challenges. **In simple terms:** Self‑doubt defeats more than hardship. Key Takeaway Build confidence to overcome obstacles. Themes self‑esteem resilience mindset Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career setbacks - relationship issues - health challenges Key Concepts psychology personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What belief about yourself limits you? - How can you strengthen self‑faith? A Different Perspective Confidence alone may not solve systemic problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Defeat People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat-people-419644/) [Difficulties Seldom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulties-seldom-1827819/) [Difficulty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulty/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Faith Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith-usually-1693187/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Lack Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-faith/) [Lack of faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-of-faith/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Seldom Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seldom-defeat-1827818/) ## Related quotes > [Unused to the situations in which I find myself, and embarassed by the slightest difficulties, I seldom discover, till too late, how I ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/unused-to-the-situations-in-which-i-find-myself-and-embarassed-by-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The lack of faith is not doubt. It is certainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-van-buren/the-lack-of-faith-is-not-doubt-it-is-certainty/) [Abigail Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-van-buren/) > [“In response to a letter regarding the writer's lack of religious belief: The lack of faith is not doubt. It is certainty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-van-buren/in-response-to-a-letter-regarding-the-writer-s-lack-of-religious/) [Abigail van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-van-buren/) > [“Grief never ends … But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-vanliere/grief-never-ends-but-it-changes-it-s-a-passage-not-a-place-to-stay/) [Donna VanLiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-vanliere/) > [“ Poor Nico di Angelo. The god's voice was tinged with disappointment. Do you know what you want, much less what I want? My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/poor-nico-di-angelo-the-god-s-voice-was-tinged-with-disappointment-do/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [But the lack of faith could just as well be a crutch for non-believers, allowing them to live their lives without any concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-coren/but-the-lack-of-faith-could-just-as-well-be-a-crutch-for-non/) [Michael Coren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-coren/) > [“Worry has everything to do with lack of faith, and lack of faith has a lot to do with not believing in yourself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/worry-has-everything-to-do-with-lack-of-faith-and-lack-of-faith-has-a/) [Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/) > [Is it not lack of faith that leads men to fear the scrutiny of reason? If the destination is doubtful, then the path must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-woolfolk-cross/is-it-not-lack-of-faith-that-leads-men-to-fear-the-scrutiny-of-reason/) [Donna Woolfolk Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-woolfolk-cross/) > [It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. He who is not courageous enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/it-s-the-lack-of-faith-that-makes-people-afraid-of-meeting-challenges-2/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Excuses are your lack of faith in your own power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-anthony/excuses-are-your-lack-of-faith-in-your-own-power/) [Robert Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-anthony/) > [According to the teaching of our Lord, what is wrong with the world is precisely that it does not believe in God. Yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baillie/according-to-the-teaching-of-our-lord-what-is-wrong-with-the-world-is/) [John Baillie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baillie/) > [“Preachers who pride themselves on never giving a public invitation to be saved, never calling for a response of any kind, reveal not greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macdonald/preachers-who-pride-themselves-on-never-giving-a-public-invitation-to/) [James MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macdonald/) > [Don't ever let family, friends or co-workers enforce their limited reality & lack of faith on you...Guard your ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-ever-let-family-friends-or-co-workers-enforce-their-limited/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The stress that some of us feel - it's a lack of faith, it really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-stress-that-some-of-us-feel-it-s-a-lack-of-faith-it-really-is/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-joslan/it-s-the-lack-of-faith-that-makes-people-afraid-of-meeting-challenges/) [Azgraybebly Joslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azgraybebly-joslan/) ## 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": "Difficulties seldom defeat people; lack of faith in themselves usually does it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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