Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have

The words of Marie Curie, “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained,” rise like a hymn of courage sung across the centuries. They are not the musings of one untouched by struggle, but the solemn declaration of a woman who walked through storms of poverty, prejudice, and relentless labor, and yet drew from them a strength that illuminated the world. In her voice we hear the eternal truth: that life is difficult for all, but the answer is not despair—it is perseverance, it is confidence, it is the unshakable belief that destiny calls us toward a work that only we can fulfill.

To say “life is not easy” is to acknowledge the universal burden of human existence. No one escapes trial, no one walks untouched by hardship. But Curie does not linger in complaint; she rises in defiance. “But what of that?” she asks, as if to banish self-pity with the power of resolve. It is a phrase of iron, a shield against discouragement, a reminder that the measure of greatness is not in the absence of struggle, but in the fire of one’s response to it. Those who yield to difficulty wither; those who meet it with perseverance ascend.

Curie’s life itself stands as the testament of her words. Born in Warsaw under oppression, denied opportunities because of her sex and station, she pursued knowledge with relentless devotion. She studied in secret, labored endlessly, and journeyed to Paris with little but her will to learn. There, in dim laboratories, she and her husband Pierre discovered the mysteries of radioactivity—at the cost of their health, their comfort, even their safety. Yet she pressed on, fueled by confidence in her gift and conviction in her calling. Her discoveries lit the path for modern science, and she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and the only person to win it twice in different fields. Her words are no abstract lesson; they are carved in the stone of her life.

The ancients, too, knew this truth. Did not the hero Aeneas carry his weary people from the ashes of Troy, pressed by grief yet driven by destiny? Though he lost home, wife, and comrades, he clung to his mission, believing himself gifted for something greater—that a new city, Rome, must rise. Through storms and wars, he bore the weight of his people, not because life was easy, but because he believed his labor must be attained. In him, as in Curie, we see that destiny favors not the strong of circumstance, but the strong of spirit.

The heart of this teaching is simple yet profound: each of us is endowed with a gift. To squander it is betrayal; to doubt it is weakness. The gift may be hidden, small in appearance, or slow to bloom, but it is ours, and it must be pursued. Without belief, talent lies dormant; without perseverance, it withers; without confidence, it fades into regret. But when nurtured, when pursued with unyielding will, it becomes a flame that lights the path not only for oneself, but for countless others.

The lesson, then, is this: expect life’s trials, but do not surrender to them. Embrace perseverance as your constant companion. When doubts assail you, armor yourself with confidence. Whisper to your heart that you are indeed gifted for something—that your life is not an accident but a purpose unfolding. And when despair tempts you to stop, remember Curie’s words: “But what of that?” Rise again, press forward, and claim the work that is yours to complete.

Practical steps follow from this truth. Set aside each day a portion of time for your gift, however small. Guard your faith in yourself against the whispers of mediocrity. Record your failures not as defeats, but as steps toward mastery. Seek companions who strengthen your resolve, not voices that weaken it. And above all, look ahead with steadfast eyes, for the path may be steep, but the summit belongs to those who never abandon their climb.

Thus, let Curie’s voice echo in your heart: life is not easy—but what of that? Your gift awaits your hand, your destiny waits your courage. With perseverance, with confidence, with faith in your calling, you will not merely endure life’s hardships; you will transform them into the very stones upon which your triumph is built.