"Heaven, when it is about to place a great responsibility on a man,
always first tests his resolution, wears out his sinews and bones with toil,
exposes his body to starvation, subjects him to extreme poverty, frustrates his
efforts so as to stimulate his mind, toughens his nature and makes good his
deficiencies. Men for the most part can mend their ways only after they make
mistakes. Only when they are frustrated in mind and in their deliberations can
they stand up anew. Only when their intentions become visible on their
countenances and audible in their voices can they be understood by others. As a
rule, a state without law–abiding families and trustworthy Gentlemen on the one
hand, and, on the other, without the threat of external aggression, will
perish. Only then do we realize that anxiety and distress lead to life and that
ease and comfort end in death."
Chinese philosopher Mencius, Book VI Kao Tzu, Part II, 15
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