60 Inner Strength Quotes To Lift You Up When Feeling Defeated In Your Relationship

Updated April 9, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

Almost every relationship goes through tough times, but the feeling of defeat that sometimes arises at these times doesn't have to last forever. Often, one of the best ways to overcome these feelings is to seek professional help from a relationship counselor

Relationship counseling might sound overwhelming, but it can be an effective tool to help individuals communicate better and solve problems with each other. For example, a counselor might play the role of mediator or offer advice on handling situations that work for both partners.

But you might want or need a more immediate way to lift your spirits, and finding motivation and healing in the experiences of others is one way to go about this. This article features inner strength quotes that help you capture these experiences and overcome feelings of defeat in your relationship.

Finding your inner strength will likely require more than reading quotes, but they might help as a pick-me-up to get you started. 

Direct inner strength quotes

Want some help finding your inner strength?

Inner strength quotes that are more direct don't often require as much consideration to understand. The point is usually in clear and concise words, which might be what you need when you're feeling defeated. The following quotes are direct inner strength quotes that can motivate you:

"Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out." – Katherine Dunham

"Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them, we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger. Instead of getting angry, nurture a deep caring and respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances, they provide us with invaluable opportunities to practice tolerance and patience." – Dalai Lama

"A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep." – Vernon Howard

"No matter what kind of challenges or difficulties or painful situations you go through in your life, we all have something deep within us that we can reach down and find the inner strength to get through them." – Alana Stewart

"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time." – Anna Freud

"You have to look inside yourself and find your inner strength, and say, 'I'm proud of what I am and who I am.'" – Mariah Carey

"As we advance in life, it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed." – Vincent van Gogh

"It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty." – Dalai Lama

"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity." – Louis Pasteur

"We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down." – Eleanor Roosevelt

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." – Peter Marshall

"For what it's worth: it's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over again." – F. Scott Fitzgerald

"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity." – Albert Schweitzer

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'" – Eleanor Roosevelt

"He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." – Louisa May Alcott

"Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence." – Dalai Lama

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths." – Arnold Schwarzenegger

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." – Leonardo da Vinci

"Be strong. Live honorably and with dignity. When you don't think you can – hold on." – James Frey

"Joy will still find me here." – Morgan Harper Nichols

"If you have no struggles, you'll have no strength." – Tim Fargo

"Strength of mind is exercise, not rest." – Alexander Pope

"The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you." – Unknown

"I realized that my strength was being different." – Betsey Johnson

"Being mentally strong doesn't mean you won't feel afraid. Instead, mental strength is about feeling afraid and doing it anyway." – Amy Morin

"Stay strong. Stand up. Have a voice." – Shawn Johnson

"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about." – Unknown

"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." – William Ellery Channing

"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't." – Rikki Rogers

"I've never met a strong person with an easy past." – Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee)

"Leverage the strength that you have: that no one else can be you." – Todd Wheatland

"Perhaps I am stronger than I think." – Thomas Merton

"Smiles can hide so much; fear, pain, sadness, tears. But then again, they reflect one thing: strength." – Unknown

"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward." – Isabel Allende

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." – Harriet Tubman

Indirect inner strength quotes

Direct quotes are often easier to parse in the moment, but indirect quotes get us to think more deeply about the topic. For example, they may not mention the term "strength," but they do allude to the subject. Despite challenges in your relationship, we hope these quotes can help you feel better about your situation:

"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within." – Maya Angelou

"Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you." – Ovid

"Falling down is an accident. Staying down is a choice." – Unknown

"You will never do anything in the world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." – Aristotle

"Life is a storm that will test you unceasingly. Don't wait for calm waters that may not arrive. Derive purpose from resilience. Learn to sail the raging sea." – The Stoic Emperor

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." – Joseph Kennedy

"This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble." – Ludwig van Beethoven

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!" – Dr. Seuss

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." – Unknown

"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." – John C. Maxwell

"Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, no matter how difficult, no matter how unfair, you will do more than simply survive. You will thrive in spite of it." – Joel Osteen

"Remember that guy that gave up? Neither does anyone else." – Unknown

"In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein

"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me." – Joshua Graham

"This, too shall pass away." – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it." – Winston Churchill

"The only thing that can stop me, is me." – Unknown

"Tough times never last, but tough people do." – Robert H. Schuller

"You are never given anything in this world that you can't handle." – Unknown

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." – Abraham Lincoln

"Throw me to the wolves, and I will return leading the pack." – Seneca

" Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise." – Unknown

"Growth is overrated. Endurance is underrated." – Shane Parrish

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me, there lay an invincible summer." – Albert Camus

Work through relationship challenges with a therapist's support

Want some help finding your inner strength?

Although these quotes may have helped to lift you up, they are not likely to solve all of your relationship issues. For that, it's often more practical to handle your problems by communicating with your partner. And if communication is a challenge in your relationship, a counselor may offer an effective way to move forward. 

Counseling can help you as an individual or you and your partner as a couple. And whichever route you choose, you can rest assured knowing that therapy offers proven benefits like improved communication and collaboration skills. And if you and your partner have busy schedules, online therapy is a convenient solution that's just as effective as in-person options. 

If you're ready to begin your therapy journey, Regain is here to help. We'll match you with a licensed professional based on your preferences and needs, and you can have sessions on your schedule. In addition, you can connect with your therapist via in-app voice, video, or chat from any device with an internet connection, allowing you and your partner more flexibility as you work on your relationship. 

In the meantime, we hope you can find your inner strength and beat the defeat.

For Additional Help & Support With Your ConcernsThis website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet Started
This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.