--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men's and nations' finest hour consist of…" description: "\"Men's and nations' finest hour consist of those moments when extraordinary challenge is met by extraordinary response. Hence in those darkest hours, we..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/neal-a-maxwell-925_attention_men-s-and-nations-finest-hour-consist-of_3049162.jpg" --- # Men's and nations' finest hour consist of those moments… ![“Men's and nations' finest hour consist of those moments when extraordinary challenge is met by extraordinary response. Hence in those darkest hours, we must light our individual candles rather than vying with others to call attention to the enveloping darkness. Our indignation about injustice…” quote by Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/neal-a-maxwell-925_attention_men-s-and-nations-finest-hour-consist-of_3049162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/neal-a-maxwell-925_attention_men-s-and-nations-finest-hour-consist-of_3049162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/neal-a-maxwell-925_attention_men-s-and-nations-finest-hour-consist-of_3049162.jpg) > “Men's and nations' finest hour consist of those moments when extraordinary challenge is met by extraordinary response. Hence in those darkest hours, we must light our individual candles rather than vying with others to call attention to the enveloping darkness. Our indignation about injustice should lead to illumination, for if it does not, we are only adding to the despair-and the moment of gravest danger is when there is so little light that darkness seems normal!” [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extraordinary challenges demand extraordinary personal actions; lighting one's own candle combats collective darkness. **In simple terms:** Rise up in darkness with personal effort. Key Takeaway Act, don't just criticize. Themes courage justice individual responsibility hope Mood determined inspired Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - social activism - personal growth - community building Key Concepts ethics leadership resilience Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn personal frustration into constructive change? - What small actions can illuminate a larger problem? A Different Perspective May lead to paralysis if not balanced with collective action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Darkest hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkest-hour/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Finest hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finest-hour/) [Illumination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illumination/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [For the faithful, our finest hours are sometimes during or just following our darkest hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/for-the-faithful-our-finest-hours-are-sometimes-during-or-just/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [“You can be all you want to be, even if the odds are against you. For it is in the darkest hours that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-potgieter/you-can-be-all-you-want-to-be-even-if-the-odds-are-against-you-for-it/) [Deon Potgieter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-potgieter/) > [In my darkest hours I had a choice to make. I could be a victim or a victor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynonna-judd/in-my-darkest-hours-i-had-a-choice-to-make-i-could-be-a-victim-or-a/) [Wynonna Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynonna-judd/) > [The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them until the darkest hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-stars-are-constantly-shining-but-often-we-do-not-see-them-until/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the darkest hours we must believe in ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/in-the-darkest-hours-we-must-believe-in-ourselves/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [They say it's darkest right before dawn. But oh those darkest hours can be so long. Your'e feeling strong boy. Telling yourself she's strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-it-s-darkest-right-before-dawn-but-oh-those-darkest-hours/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people want to be the sun and shine on you in yo brightest hours I would rather be the moon and shine on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolie-wa-bee/some-people-want-to-be-the-sun-and-shine-on-you-in-yo-brightest-hours/) Lolie Wa Bee > [Even through the darkest hours there willalways be a light burning just for you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-through-the-darkest-hours-there-willalways-be-a-light-burning/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To the lamp of love, may it burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-the-lamp-of-love-may-it-burn-brightest-in-the-darkest-hours-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doe-zantamata/it-is-only-in-our-darkest-hours-that-we-may-discover-the-true/) [Doe Zantamata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doe-zantamata/) > [Nobody looks good in their darkest hours. But it's those hours that make us what we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/nobody-looks-good-in-their-darkest-hours-but-it-s-those-hours-that/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“Hope is that tiny light that the gods have given us so that we can find our way through our darkest hours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/hope-is-that-tiny-light-that-the-gods-have-given-us-so-that-we-can/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“For I had loved Seid even in his darkest hours, even as he cursed me and we rode upon a fine line between ardor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-silverwood/for-i-had-loved-seid-even-in-his-darkest-hours-even-as-he-cursed-me/) [Jennifer Silverwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-silverwood/) > [I think for most Americans, knowledge of the Islamic world was pretty slight before 9/11, and then it was thrust upon us in one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-p-campbell/i-think-for-most-americans-knowledge-of-the-islamic-world-was-pretty/) [Thomas P. Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-p-campbell/) > [No matter where are you going to be in your darkest hours or days in life, remember ; I will find you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewshy/no-matter-where-are-you-going-to-be-in-your-darkest-hours-or-days-in/) Ewshy ## More by Neal A. Maxwell > [Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/clearly-when-we-baptize-our-eyes-should-gaze-beyond-the-baptismal/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We should not assume; however, that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-should-not-assume-however-that-just-because-something-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Naive optimism and pervasive pessimism are both to be avoided, therefore. It's not an easy balance to maintain, to be asked to work away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/naive-optimism-and-pervasive-pessimism-are-both-to-be-avoided/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Occasionally some individuals let the seeming ordinariness of life dampen their spirits. Though actually coping and growning, others lack the quiet, inner-soul satisfaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/occasionally-some-individuals-let-the-seeming-ordinariness-of-life/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The acceptance of the reality that we are in the Lord's loving hands is only a recognition that we have never really been anywhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-acceptance-of-the-reality-that-we-are-in-the-lord-s-loving-hands/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [We can't dwell upon another's ingratitude without using up our time and talents unprofitably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/we-can-t-dwell-upon-another-s-ingratitude-without-using-up-our-time/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The winds of tribulation, which blow out some men's candles of commitment, only fan the fires of faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-winds-of-tribulation-which-blow-out-some-men-s-candles-of/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Power is most safe with those who are not in love with it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/power-is-most-safe-with-those-who-are-not-in-love-with-it/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Frequently, we busily search for group service projects, which are surely needed and commendable, when quiet, personal service is also urgently needed. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/frequently-we-busily-search-for-group-service-projects-which-are/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [The cumulative weight of all mortal sins--past, present, and future--pressed upon that perfect, sinless, and sensitive Soul! All our infirmities and sicknesses were somehow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/the-cumulative-weight-of-all-mortal-sins-past-present-and-future/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [“When we feel so alone, we cannot presume to teach him who, at the apogee of his agony, trod “the winepress alone” anything about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/when-we-feel-so-alone-we-cannot-presume-to-teach-him-who-at-the/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [How myopic it is to view His ministry as all crucifixion and no resurrection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/how-myopic-it-is-to-view-his-ministry-as-all-crucifixion-and-no/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/patience-stoutly-resists-pulling-up-the-daisies-to-see-how-the-roots/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Our little pebble of poor performance helps to start, or to sustain, an avalanche.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/our-little-pebble-of-poor-performance-helps-to-start-or-to-sustain-an/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) [Explore all 328 Neal A. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Men's and nations' finest hour consist of those moments when extraordinary challenge is met by extraordinary response. 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