--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When he is pushed, tormented, defeated…" description: "\"When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chance_when-he-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he_1396723.jpg" --- # When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to… ![“When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chance_when-he-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he_1396723.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chance_when-he-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he_1396723.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_chance_when-he-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he_1396723.jpg) > “When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote describes how adversity forces personal growth, humility, and the development of true skill and moderation. **In simple terms:** Adversity teaches humility, skill, and moderation. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges to become wiser and more modest. Themes growth humility adversity skill Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career setbacks - academic failures - personal crises - team conflicts Key Concepts self‑improvement philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What lessons have you learned from hardship? - How can you balance humility with confidence? A Different Perspective Too much hardship can cause lasting trauma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; ... he learns his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-he-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he-has-a-chance-to-learn/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-a-man-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he-has-a-chance-to-learn/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“When a man is beaten, tormented and defeated…He is ready to learn something. —Emerson”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-divine/when-a-man-is-beaten-tormented-and-defeated-he-is-ready-to-learn/) [Mark Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-divine/) > [Racism exists, but it is far less rampant than ignorance, and ignorance can be cured through experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-owens/racism-exists-but-it-is-far-less-rampant-than-ignorance-and-ignorance/) [Candace Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-owens/) > [Ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/ignorance-can-be-cured-but-stupidity-is-forever/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [Now, ignorance is one thing, ignorance can be cured. But many of the Republican leaders opposing this research know better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-reagan/now-ignorance-is-one-thing-ignorance-can-be-cured-but-many-of-the/) [Ron Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-reagan/) > [Ignorance can be cured. 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