“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records” is an motivational saying that has been printed on posters and T-shirts. American author William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) has been credited with the saying since 1962.
Wikipedia: William Arthur Ward
William Arthur Ward (1921–March 30, 1994), author of Fountains of Faith, is one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims.
More than 100 articles, poems and meditations written by Ward have been published in such magazines as Reader’s Digest, This Week, The Upper Room, Together, The Christian Advocate, The Adult Student, The Adult Teacher, The Christian Home, The Phi Delta Kappan, Science of Mind, The Methodist Layman, Sunshine, and Ideals.
5 December 1962, Evening World-Herald (Omaha, NE), “So They Said,” pg. 54, col. 2:
Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records.—William A. Ward.
17 March 1964, The Daily Standard (Sikeston, MO), pg. 8, col. 6:
William A. Ward: Adversity causes some men to break’ others to break records.
10 March 1968, San Diego (CA) Union, “Opportunities Can Be Found In Adversity” by Norman Vincent Peale, pg. AA5, col. 1:
William Arthur Ward says: ‘Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”
Google Books
Quote Unquote
By Lloyd Cory
Wheaton, IL: Victor Books
1977
Pg. 11:
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. (WILLIAM A. WARD)
Google Books
The Runner’s Rule Book:
Everything a Runner Needs to Know—and Then Some
By Mark Remy
New York, NY: Rodale, Inc.
2009
Pg. 75:
Or “Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records.” Heard anywhere else, such corny aphorisms might inspire eye rolling. But, for whatever reason, seen or heard in or around a race, they work.
Twitter
KettlebellBombshell™
@kbellbombshell
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records #FitFluential William Arthur Ward
9:02 PM - 26 May 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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