When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will exercise his mind with suffering, subject his sinews and bones to hard work, expose his body to hunger, put him to poverty, place obstacles in the paths of his deeds, so as to stimulate his mind, harden his nature, and improve wherever he is incompetent.

This saying has become a classic expression of adversity education in Chinese culture, profoundly influencing Chinese views on talent development and setbacks. It has shaped the indomitable national character of the Chinese people and become the core content of motivational education throughout history. From family education to national governance, this thought has been widely applied, forming the cultural tradition of "Difficulties and hardships jade one's character." It serves not only as a guide for personal cultivation but also as an important concept for national talent development.

According to Mencius, during Mencius's diplomatic mission in Qi, when King Xuan of Qi was incompetent and rejected good advice, Mencius was repeatedly refused when offering remonstrance. In dialogue with his disciple Gongsun Chou, Mencius expressed deep emotion while reviewing the growth processes of historical sages. He mentioned Shun being selected from the fields, Fu Yue being promoted from construction work, Guan Zhong being released from prison, and Sun Shu Ao being discovered by the sea. All these people underwent hardship and ultimately undertook significant historical missions. From this, Mencius summarized this famous law of life.

According to Mencius, during Mencius's diplomatic mission in Qi, when King Xuan of Qi was incompetent and rejected good advice, Mencius was repeatedly refused when offering remonstrance. In dialogue with his disciple Gongsun Chou, Mencius expressed deep emotion while reviewing the growth processes of historical sages. He mentioned Shun being selected from the fields, Fu Yue being promoted from construction work, Guan Zhong being released from prison, and Sun Shu Ao being discovered by the sea. All these people underwent hardship and ultimately undertook significant historical missions. From this, Mencius summarized this famous law of life.

This saying has had profound influence on later generations. Sima Qian quoted it in "Letter to Ren An" to motivate himself to complete "Records of the Grand Historian"; Zhuge Liang embodied this thought in "Memorial on Sending Out the Troops"; Wen Tianxiang used it to encourage himself in "Song of Righteousness". The imperial examination system throughout dynasties also reflected this philosophy, selecting talents through rigorous testing. In modern times, from Zeng Guofan's family letters to Liang Qichao's essays, from Sun Yat-sen's revolution to Mao Zedong's struggles, all embodied the spiritual essence of this thought.

In practical application, first establish a correct view of setbacks, recognizing that difficulties are necessary for growth. Second, actively seek appropriate challenges and set progressive goals within one's capabilities. Third, cultivate psychological resilience through meditation, exercise, and other methods to enhance stress resistance. Fourth, build support systems by seeking understanding and help from family and friends. Fifth, be good at summarizing experiences and transforming each setback into nourishment for growth. Sixth, maintain a long-term perspective, believing in the power of time and the value of accumulation.