“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.”
- March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890
- Dutch
- Painter, Post-Impressionist Artist, Pioneer of Modern Art
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Quote
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.”
Explanation
This quote speaks to the inevitable hardships of life and the transformative power of resilience. Van Gogh acknowledges that as one grows older, life does not become easier—in fact, challenges often multiply. Yet it is precisely through struggling with these difficulties that a person’s deepest inner strength is awakened and refined. The heart—symbol of courage, endurance, and feeling—becomes stronger not in ease, but in adversity.
Van Gogh knew this truth intimately. His life was marked by poverty, rejection, illness, and emotional turmoil, yet he persisted in his work with increasing intensity. Rather than being crushed by hardship, he found a kind of spiritual and creative strength through suffering, channeling it into paintings that continue to move the world. This quote encapsulates his belief that difficulty is not only to be endured—it is the very forge of character and depth.
For modern readers, this quote is both sobering and empowering. It reminds us that life’s burdens are real, but they also have the potential to shape us into more resilient, compassionate, and courageous people. Instead of avoiding hardship, Van Gogh calls us to engage with it fully—because it is in that fight that our truest strength, the strength of the heart, is formed.
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