--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you are face to face with a…" description: "\"When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up against a discovery.\" — Lord Kelvin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png" --- # When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up… ![“When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up against a discovery.” quote by Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png) > “When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up against a discovery.” [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing a problem directly leads to new insights, turning challenges into opportunities for discovery. **In simple terms:** Difficulties reveal new knowledge. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges as chances to learn. Themes growth learning problem solving innovation mindset Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - scientific research - business obstacles Key Concepts critical thinking resilience curiosity Questions to Reflect On - What can you learn from your current difficulty? - How does struggle foster innovation? A Different Perspective Overcoming challenges may still require resources and support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Face to face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face-to-face/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) ## Related quotes > [I feel it’s okay to get angry with God. He can take it. Just don’t stay angry. It takes courage to believe that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-roberts/i-feel-it-s-okay-to-get-angry-with-god-he-can-take-it-just-don-t-stay/) [Robin Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-roberts/) > [There is usually no dreamer so unworldly as the anthologist. He wanders in a vast garden, lost in wonder, unable to decide often between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-webb/there-is-usually-no-dreamer-so-unworldly-as-the-anthologist-he/) [Mary Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-webb/) > [ I am exclusively occupied with the problem of gravitation and hope with the help of a local mathematician friend \[Marcel Grossman\] to overcome all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-am-exclusively-occupied-with-the-problem-of-gravitation-and-hope/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [When God overcomes our difficulties for us, we have the assurance that we are engaged in His work and not our own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-muller/when-god-overcomes-our-difficulties-for-us-we-have-the-assurance-that/) [George Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-muller/) > [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/) > [The apprenticeship of difficulty is one which the greatest of men have had to serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/the-apprenticeship-of-difficulty-is-one-which-the-greatest-of-men/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [We all have difficult times. We can view them as challenges, work through them and learn valuable lessons through our past mistake or allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/we-all-have-difficult-times-we-can-view-them-as-challenges-work/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [New things have to experience difficulties and setbacks as they grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/new-things-have-to-experience-difficulties-and-setbacks-as-they-grow/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [There is possibility in every difficulty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/there-is-possibility-in-every-difficulty/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself it’s own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niels-bohr/every-great-and-deep-difficulty-bears-in-itself-it-s-own-solution-it/) [Niels Bohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niels-bohr/) > [“A variety of difficulties will come your way. But at the time of difficulty, you will be able to find a ready made medicine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/a-variety-of-difficulties-will-come-your-way-but-at-the-time-of/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [There are few positions in life in which difficulties have not to be encountered. These difficulties are, however, our best instructors, as our mistakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-paxton-hood/there-are-few-positions-in-life-in-which-difficulties-have-not-to-be/) [Edwin Paxton Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-paxton-hood/) > [Do not be afraid of your difficulties.Do not wish you could be in other circumstances than you are. For when you have made the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-afraid-of-your-difficulties-do-not-wish-you-could-be-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The difficulty comes from our lack of confidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/the-difficulty-comes-from-our-lack-of-confidence/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [Have the courage to face a difficulty lest it kick you harder than you bargained for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-the-courage-to-face-a-difficulty-lest-it-kick-you-harder-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Lord Kelvin > [Christianity without the cross is nothing. The cross was the fitting close of a life of rejection, scorn and defeat. But in no true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/christianity-without-the-cross-is-nothing-the-cross-was-the-fitting/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [If you study science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/if-you-study-science-deep-enough-and-long-enough-it-will-force-you-to/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [If you can not measure it, you can not improve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/if-you-can-not-measure-it-you-can-not-improve-it/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/i-often-say-that-when-you-can-measure-what-you-are-speaking-about-and/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [If you cannot measure it, then it is not science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/if-you-cannot-measure-it-then-it-is-not-science/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Simplification of modes of proof is not merely an indication of advance in our knowledge of a subject, but is also the surest guarantee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/simplification-of-modes-of-proof-is-not-merely-an-indication-of/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Quaternions came from Hamilton after his really good work had been done, and though beautifully ingenious, have been an unmixed evil to those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/quaternions-came-from-hamilton-after-his-really-good-work-had-been/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Do not imagine that mathematics is hard and crabbed, and repulsive to common sense. It is merely the etherealization of common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/do-not-imagine-that-mathematics-is-hard-and-crabbed-and-repulsive-to/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Let nobody be afraid of true freedom of thought. Let us be free in thought and criticism; but, with freedom, we are bound to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/let-nobody-be-afraid-of-true-freedom-of-thought-let-us-be-free-in/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Symmetrical equations are good in their place, but ' vector ' is a useless survival, or offshoot from quaternions, and has never been of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/symmetrical-equations-are-good-in-their-place-but-vector-is-a-useless/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Mathematics is the only good metaphysics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/mathematics-is-the-only-good-metaphysics/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [You know only insofar as you can measure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/you-know-only-insofar-as-you-can-measure/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [Fourier is a mathematical poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/fourier-is-a-mathematical-poem/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/when-you-can-measure-what-you-are-speaking-about-and-express-it-in/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [The atheistic idea is so nonsensical that I do not see how I can put it in words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/the-atheistic-idea-is-so-nonsensical-that-i-do-not-see-how-i-can-put/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) [Explore all 63 Lord Kelvin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) ## 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 > [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 > [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": "When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up against a discovery.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lord Kelvin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficulty-you-are-up-against-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adversity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficulty-you-are-up-against-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/036/lord-kelvin-10819_adversity_when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficu_167491.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you are face to face with a difficulty, you are up against a discovery.” — Lord Kelvin", "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": "Lord Kelvin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you are face to face...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficulty-you-are-up-against-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/when-you-are-face-to-face-with-a-difficulty-you-are-up-against-a/#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 } } ] } ```