The sharpness of a sword comes from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms emanates from bitter cold.

This famous saying originates from the "Diligence" chapter of "Admonishing Wisdom for the World". The complete text reads: "The sharpness of a sword comes from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms emanates from bitter cold. Without the hardship of diligent study in youth, one will regret the delay in reading in old age." The author uses the contrast between the sword's sharpness and the plum blossoms' fragrance to emphasize that true achievements and beautiful qualities can only be obtained through hard training and trials.

This famous saying contains profound life wisdom: any precious thing or outstanding talent requires hardship and trials to be obtained. A sword must undergo repeated grinding to become incredibly sharp, and plum blossoms emit their enchanting fragrance precisely because they bloom in harsh cold. Similarly, human growth, career success, and academic advancement all require experiencing setbacks and challenges. This teaches us that difficulties and challenges are not obstacles, but necessary paths to greatness.

Regarding the creative background of this famous saying, legend attributes it to a poor scholar during the Song Dynasty. This scholar came from an impoverished background but had lofty aspirations, studying diligently every day in the harsh cold. One winter day, seeing plum blossoms blooming in the snow with their enchanting fragrance, and recalling the swordsmith's process of repeatedly hammering and refining swords, he suddenly realized the philosophy that "without experiencing bone-chilling cold, how can one obtain the fragrance of plum blossoms?" He incorporated this insight into "Admonishing Wisdom for the World" to warn future generations: only through difficult trials can one achieve an extraordinary life. While this story lacks exact historical documentation, it vividly embodies the spiritual essence of this famous saying.

This famous saying has had profound historical impact in China, becoming the motto of generations of patriots and intellectuals. Ming Dynasty's Yu Qian's expression "thousands of hammerings and chiseling from deep mountains" in "Ode to Lime" was clearly inspired by this saying; Qing Dynasty's Zheng Banqiao's spirit of "firmly biting the green mountain without relaxing" shares the same lineage. In modern history, this saying inspired countless revolutionaries and scientists to persist in their ideals under difficult circumstances. After the founding of New China, it was widely applied in ideological education, becoming an important spiritual resource for motivating people to overcome difficulties and strive for improvement.

To apply the wisdom of this famous saying to practical life, we can proceed from the following aspects: First, establish a correct mindset: view difficulties and challenges as opportunities for growth rather than pain to be avoided. Second, set long-term goals: clarify your life direction and struggle objectives, so you can maintain motivation when facing difficulties. Third, cultivate habits of persistence: whether learning new skills or completing work tasks, develop the habit of perseverance. Fourth, learn from failures: each setback is a learning opportunity, and we should be good at summarizing experiences and lessons. Fifth, establish a support system: connect with like-minded people to encourage each other and make progress together during difficult times. Sixth, maintain physical and mental health: regulate stress through appropriate exercise, rest, and entertainment to maintain good condition for meeting challenges.