That line is a famous saying about resilience in the face of hardship. It is most closely associated with the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who used a version of it in the late 19th century.
Core meaning
The phrase means that difficult experiences that do not destroy you can, in some cases, leave you tougher, wiser, and better prepared for future challenges. It treats adversity as something that can build inner strength, not just cause harm, especially when a person reflects, adapts, and learns from what happened.
Important nuance
The saying is not literally true in every situation, because some events can leave lasting physical or psychological damage rather than strength. Modern psychology talks about “post‑traumatic growth,” where some people do report becoming more resilient or appreciative of life after severe stress, but this depends on support, coping skills, and context.
How people use it today
People often use the line as a motivational slogan to encourage themselves or others to keep going through a tough time. It appears in popular culture, including songs and self‑help messages, as a short way of saying “this pain might help me grow.”
