duō多nàn难xīng兴bāng邦
Adversity and challenges can stimulate a community or entity to rise to the occasion, overcome hardships, and ultimately become stronger and more prosperous.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Ling of Chu aspired to assert hegemony over the various feudal lords. He proposed an alliance and dispatched Jiao Ju to invite Duke Ping of Jin.
Duke Ping initially intended to decline, but Sima Hou advised him to attend.
Duke Ping, confident in his kingdom's formidable terrain and abundant warhorses, expressed no fear of the beleaguered state of Chu. Sima Hou then reminded him to consider the wisdom that 'adversity fosters strength' (多难兴邦) and to adopt a longer-term perspective.