What Is the Meaning of “pain Is Temporary, Pride Is Forever”?

The saying “pain is temporary, pride is forever” references the fact that pain may last a day, hour, year or even longer but is temporary and will subside, replaced by pride and other things. It is a popular sports adage that has been printed on T-shirts since the late 1980s.

“Pain is temporary, success is permanent” was displayed on a cross-country team bus in 1987, and its sister saying “Pain is temporary, pride is forever” was printed on a yellow United States Marine T-shirt in 1988. According to the Barry Popik website, cyclist Lance Armstrong is noted for writing in 2003 “pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.”