Adversity and Renewal

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English translation

Mencius said, “Shun was raised from the fields; Fu Yue from building work; Jiao Ge from trading in fish and salt; Guan Yiwu from the hands of prison officers; Sun Shuao from the seashore; and Baili Xi from the marketplace. When Heaven is about to entrust someone with a great task, it first afflicts his mind, tires his body, starves him, impoverishes him, and frustrates his efforts. In this way it rouses his heart, toughens his character, and adds capacities he lacked. People make mistakes before they can reform; distress in the heart and obstruction in thought lead them to rise to action; what appears in their faces and voices then becomes understood. A state without law-abiding ministers at home or hostile powers and external dangers abroad will often perish. From this we know that adversity sustains life, while ease and pleasure bring death.”

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