The phrase "This too shall pass" is traditionally attributed to a legend involving King Solomon, although the exact origin is unclear and it is not found in the Bible. According to the most well-known story, King Solomon asked his wise men to find a phrase that would be true in both good and bad times. They presented a ring inscribed with words meaning "This too shall pass," symbolizing the temporary nature of all conditions, whether joy or sorrow. This story likely has roots in Persian literature and Sufi mysticism, where the original phrase is found in Persian as "این نیز بگذرد" (in nīz bogzarad). The phrase was popularized in the Western world partly through a 19th-century retelling by the English poet Edward FitzGerald, and it was famously used by Abraham Lincoln in a speech before he became president. It reflects the idea of impermanence and the transient nature of life's ups and downs, serving as a reminder that difficult or joyful moments do not last forever.
