per ardua ad astra

“Per Ardua ad Astra” is the motto of the RAF, the British Royal Air Force, which ensured the survival of the United Kingdom by defeating Hitler and the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940. 

The official translation is “Through adversity to the stars”. The state of Kansas’s motto, Ad Astra per Aspera, is similar: “To the stars through difficulties.”

The simple message is one we all know but often seem to try to escape: Few good things come easy and it is the conquering of difficulty that we find and hone the best in ourselves.

Closing Quotes:

“The merit of all things lies in their difficulty.”  Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers

“A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.” – Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle, 1890 – 1970, French general, prime minister

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure” – Peter Marshall, b.1927

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them.” Phyllis Forbes Dennis, 1884 -1963, Brit wrote under her birth name, Phyllis Bottome

As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier