Horace, an ancient Roman poet from around 50 BC (Coolidge 90), is quoted on saying “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Now while Horace was very intelligent, and this quote seems to be correct, there are also numerous occasions in which adversity has brought about the inverse reaction. Throughout history, adversity has repeated both of the effects many times, such as: in Horace’s life, the biblical story of Joseph, the War of 1812, during the Great Depression and throughout World War II.
The Roman poet, Horace once said, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant”. Horace argues that difficult circumstances critically impact the development of one’s character. Although some may argue that character will reveal itself regardless if adversity is present, I agree with Horace’s perspective, adversity determines one's potential capabilities, strengthens personal values, and provides a feeling of self-worth. Sure, there are cases in which prosperous circumstances lead to internal development.
In a quotation by Horace, a Roman poet, he says, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.” Horace’s assertion that adversity develops character and brings out talents is correct because the pressure of the situation forces out the development of character and hidden skills. In the book, Alive by Piers Paul Read, this is shown by characters Nando Parrado, Alvaro Mangino, and Roberto Canessa. In the beginning of the story Nando Parrado was known to be the shy and awkward kid who’d only speak to his best friend.
As this life continues, people will continue to face hardships and rough times. Depending on how one wants to deal with their rough time is what makes everyone unique and different which is what Andrew Solomon was saying, “You need to take the traumas and make them part of who you've come to be, and you need to fold the worst events of your life into a narrative of triumph, evincing a better self in response to things that
“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche. Is that true? Does adversity really change people for the better? Going through tough situations can give individuals a new kind of strength, emotional strength, which lends them a chance to grow and mature.
The concept of exemplarity was used extensively throughout Roman literature as a tool to give guidance and enforce authority. By providing an ethical framework of societal precedents, exempla served to govern all facets of Roman public life. The system of exemplarity had an inherent power in Roman society, allowing it to be exploited for personal gain by rulers such as Augustus. Through his monumental literary biography, Res Gestae Divi Augusti, Augustus manipulated exemplarity in order to translate his coercive power into benevolent authority over the people of Rome.
An example of this is from my own experiences. There are things I have said to other people that I know hurt them even if that wasn't my intention. No matter how great my life may be going I will still be
The house was messy, dirty and very fragrant. They, like all the people, had another perspective on my mom, on us. When they went to the room where they were going to sleep, they realized the bad conditions that we were going throw. They had no choice but to accept everything since it was to help their
Have you ever found yourself in a very bad situation? Did it make you a better or worse person? Getting through tough situations can be challenging, but the outcome is often worth it. Both the stories from “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Freedom Writers” show that tough times often bring out the best in people.
After the obstacles he has overcame Walt Disney once said “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Everyone has a time in there life where they need to get passed something that is in there way. When this time or times come everyone would find a way to get through it, whether it is asking for help or doing it on their own. When someone says the word adversity one would say you have to be hard working, determined, and strong would pop into their mind.
Looking from a child to an adult I now understand why the adults in the neighborhood watched over everyone. It taught me a that there is strength in numbers and love conquers all. Growing up the fourth girl of five kids wasn’t tough or awkward for me. I am the baby girl, therefore I got away with a lot. I learned early on I was different, but could not comprehend whether it was in a good/bad way as a child.
My grandpa went to war and he was gone for seven years, because he got captured in Africa. My grandma had one little girl to care in a renting house. She was making bread and sell it. When my grandpa came back, she had brought the house where they lived all their life, until they died. They had 5 more children.
In life some children grow up without the resources that others have, which can be material Items or mother or father or even physical attributes these people grow up in most of the time they become successful being able to acquire the things that they were given his kids. This connects Horaces statement because the adversities of growing up with a lack of resources which caused a talent to be elicited and caused a positive change in the people. In the book Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,the characters Father Amadi,papa,mama,Aunty Ifeoma,Jaja,and Kambili Adversities that elicit positive changes and have them pull the adversity elicit which was stated by Horace. Kambili faces the most adversity in the book proven by the fact that
One crude fact of life is that hardships and misfortunes are inevitable. Despite our best efforts, as humans, we cannot cease to exist and not encounter a myriad of challenges and obstacles throughout our lifetime. There may be little control over the atrocities life throws at us, but we do have control over our reactions to these cruel acts of fate. We always have a choice: we can either wallow in our misery or find the silver lining and have a positive outlook over the situation. This choice is constantly being made and is presented to each and every person every single day.
“The Natural Talent” Talent as defines by many critics, is a gift and innate ability that enables someone to be special than others in a particular field, no matter who they are or in which field they superior. However, these critics agree with the definition of this innate talent but differ in the way of elaborate. Some of them believe in this special ability could be achieves or could be obtain with practice, while others focus on one side and neglect the other. To Aristotle, the innate ability or as he calls “natural gift” is more superior compare to learned skill. People who have talents that are inherited by their genes that will allow them to excel, while more hard-working people never reach the same level of creativity.
