--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cows run away from the storm while the…" description: "\"Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it - and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e9/wilma-mankiller-15802_adversity_cows-run-away-from-the-storm-while-the-b_1972181.jpg" --- # Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges… ![“Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it - and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.” quote by Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e9/wilma-mankiller-15802_adversity_cows-run-away-from-the-storm-while-the-b_1972181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e9/wilma-mankiller-15802_adversity_cows-run-away-from-the-storm-while-the-b_1972181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e9/wilma-mankiller-15802_adversity_cows-run-away-from-the-storm-while-the-b_1972181.jpg) > “Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it - and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.” [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When faced with adversity, confronting it directly like a buffalo yields quicker resolution than avoidance, emphasizing decisive action. **In simple terms:** Act boldly in challenges rather than fleeing. Key Takeaway Adopt a proactive, courageous stance toward obstacles. Themes leadership courage adversity action indigenous wisdom Mood inspirational empowering Type motivational practical When to use this quote - personal crises - business negotiations - environmental activism - team management Key Concepts conflict resolution resilience assertiveness Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to assess before acting? - How can you balance bravery with prudence? A Different Perspective Bold action can lead to unintended consequences if not carefully planned. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Native american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-american/) [Overcoming adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming-adversity/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-away/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Torment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment/) ## Related quotes > [Be the buffalo. Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee nation, once told me how the cow runs away from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/be-the-buffalo-wilma-mankiller-the-first-female-principal-chief-of/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) > [The Manhattan district attorney has closed the well-publicized investigation of the handling of the $300 million fortune of reclusive heiress Huguette Clark - without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-dedman/the-manhattan-district-attorney-has-closed-the-well-publicized/) [Bill Dedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-dedman/) > [High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing…everything else is just figure skating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scotty-bowman/high-sticking-tripping-slashing-spearing-charging-hooking-fighting/) [Scotty Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scotty-bowman/) > [I believe you make your own luck. My motto is ‘It’s always a mistake not to go.’ So I jump on the airplane, try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/i-believe-you-make-your-own-luck-my-motto-is-it-s-always-a-mistake/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [And than suddenly he was there, charging down the hallway like death in a cowboy duster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/and-than-suddenly-he-was-there-charging-down-the-hallway-like-death/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I consider Apple to be very closed. Let's say you have a book business, and you are charging 5 to 7 percent gross margins;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/i-consider-apple-to-be-very-closed-let-s-say-you-have-a-book-business/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [I hate that moment when I thought my phone was charging, when it wasn't even plugged in!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-that-moment-when-i-thought-my-phone-was-charging-when-it-wasn/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What's a domestic partnership? Domestic partnership is not even a marriage, and there's a contract that involves, potentially, sexual and financial commitments to each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-kellerman/what-s-a-domestic-partnership-domestic-partnership-is-not-even-a/) Max Kellerman > [The key thing about any fund is to make sure its expenses are low. You know, if you look at the funds in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-bernstein/the-key-thing-about-any-fund-is-to-make-sure-its-expenses-are-low-you/) [William J. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-bernstein/) > [“A charging black rhinoceros is nothing to mess with. When it is headed straight toward you, it is the ultimate exercise in sphincter control.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-norton/a-charging-black-rhinoceros-is-nothing-to-mess-with-when-it-is-headed/) Boyd Norton > [People who do not take charge of their lives are lathi-charged by time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-bedi/people-who-do-not-take-charge-of-their-lives-are-lathi-charged-by-time/) [Kiran Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-bedi/) > [All my life I just wanted to be a beatnik. Meet all the heavies, get stoned, get laid, have a good time. That's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-joplin/all-my-life-i-just-wanted-to-be-a-beatnik-meet-all-the-heavies-get/) [Janis Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-joplin/) > [When you’re working with Army and Marine Corps units, you immediately notice a difference. The Army is pretty tough, but their performance can depend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/when-you-re-working-with-army-and-marine-corps-units-you-immediately/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [That ugly freak has spent so much time in my head, I should be charging him rent." -Four](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittacus-lore/that-ugly-freak-has-spent-so-much-time-in-my-head-i-should-be/) [Pittacus Lore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittacus-lore/) > [Aggressive and hard-charging women violate unwritten rules about acceptable social conduct. Men are continually applauded for being ambitious and powerful and successful, but women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/aggressive-and-hard-charging-women-violate-unwritten-rules-about/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) ## More by Wilma Mankiller > [Negative thoughts were treated by Cherokee healers with the same medicines as wounds, headaches, or physical illness. It was believed that unchecked negative thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/negative-thoughts-were-treated-by-cherokee-healers-with-the-same/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Remember that I am just a woman who is living a very abundant life. Every step I take forward is on a path paved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/remember-that-i-am-just-a-woman-who-is-living-a-very-abundant-life/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [A significant number of people believe tribal people still live and dress as they did 300 years ago. During my tenure as principal chief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/a-significant-number-of-people-believe-tribal-people-still-live-and/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Look forward. Turn what has been done into a better path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/look-forward-turn-what-has-been-done-into-a-better-path/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [People say that crisis changes people and turns ordinary people into wiser or more responsible ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/people-say-that-crisis-changes-people-and-turns-ordinary-people-into/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [My name is Mankiller, and in the old Cherokee Nation, when we lived here in the Southeast, we lived in semi-autonomous villages, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/my-name-is-mankiller-and-in-the-old-cherokee-nation-when-we-lived/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Every single person has leadership ability. Some step up and take them. Some don't. My answer was to step up and lead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/every-single-person-has-leadership-ability-some-step-up-and-take-them/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Women in leadership roles can help restore balance and wholeness to our communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/women-in-leadership-roles-can-help-restore-balance-and-wholeness-to/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [A lot of young girls have looked to their career paths and have said they'd like to be chief. There's been a change in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/a-lot-of-young-girls-have-looked-to-their-career-paths-and-have-said/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/individually-and-collectively-cherokee-people-possess-an/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [I don't think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization without talking about education. Whoever controls the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/i-don-t-think-anybody-anywhere-can-talk-about-the-future-of-their/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [An Indian is an Indian regardless of the degree of Indian blood or which little government card they do or do not possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/an-indian-is-an-indian-regardless-of-the-degree-of-indian-blood-or/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [Recognizing the good, not just in one's own personal circumstances, but in the world, makes anything possible. When I am asked about the important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/recognizing-the-good-not-just-in-one-s-own-personal-circumstances-but/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [We must trust our own thinking. Trust where we're going. And get the job done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/we-must-trust-our-own-thinking-trust-where-we-re-going-and-get-the/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) > [I've run into more discrimination as a woman than as an Indian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilma-mankiller/i-ve-run-into-more-discrimination-as-a-woman-than-as-an-indian/) [Wilma Mankiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) [Explore all 42 Wilma Mankiller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilma-mankiller/) ## 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": "Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it - and gets through it quicker. 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