This great quote is part of aphorism number 8 from the “Maxims and Arrows” section of Friedrich Nietzsche’s Twilight of the Idols (1888). It accurately portrays the picture of resilience and affirmation for overcoming adversity. This doesn’t mean constantly push ourselves to the brink of exhaustion where burnout can occur. Instead, it’s a quote to go to when we need some extra fuel to get to the next level. Many times in life it’s just that little extra that makes a big difference over the long term. A great modern book that alludes to this proven theory is The Slight Edge. Success isn’t always about the big action, rather its strings of small persistent actions over and over.
What does not kill me makes me stronger.
Nietzsche (1844-1900)