That phrase is a famous quote about resilience and growth through hardship. It usually means that surviving difficulties can help a person become tougher, wiser, and better able to handle future challenges.
Origin
The line comes from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote a version of it in the late 19th century in his work Twilight of the Idols. In German, it appears as “Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker,” which is commonly translated as “What does not kill me makes me stronger”.
Common meaning
People use it as a motivational saying to frame setbacks, pain, or failure as opportunities to build strength and resilience rather than as purely negative events. The idea is that by enduring and learning from hard experiences, a person can gain skills, perspective, and confidence that make future challenges easier to face.
Nuances and limits
The phrase is not literally true in every case, since some experiences can leave lasting physical or psychological harm rather than strength. Many commentators point out that growth happens when someone is able to process the experience, find meaning, and adapt, rather than from suffering by itself.
