- A proverb suggesting that surviving hardship, adversity, or difficult experiences ultimately builds resilience, character, and inner strength.
Explanation
Origin
- Derived from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols (1888): Aus der Kriegsschule des Lebens.— Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker. (From the military school of life.— What does not kill me makes me stronger.)
- Popularized in English and became a common maxim, further boosted by Kelly Clarkson's 2011 hit song Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Tough times don't last, tough people do.
- You gotta roll with the punches. (Meaning: Adapt to difficulties)
- It's character building. (Sometimes used ironically)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Less common to use vulgarity with this specific philosophical phrase, but contextually someone might say Life's a bitch, then you get stronger or similar cynical variations.
Milder/More Gentle Encouragement:
- You'll get through this.
- This experience will make you more resilient.
- You're learning and growing from this challenge.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in many informal and semi-formal contexts, especially when discussing resilience, overcoming challenges, or offering encouragement after a setback.
- Can sound cliché or dismissive of genuine pain if used insensitively or too soon after a traumatic event. Timing and empathy are key.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Should not be taken literally (i.e., seeking out near-death experiences).
- Non-native speakers should understand it's a metaphor for emotional and psychological strength gained through hardship, not necessarily physical strength or a guarantee of a positive outcome.
Examples
- She went through a really tough breakup, but she came out of it more confident. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I guess.
- Starting a business was incredibly difficult, full of setbacks, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
- Don't worry about the failure; learn from it. Remember, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Dialogue
Sam: I failed my driving test again. I feel like such a loser.
Chloe: Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. It's tough, but you'll get it next time. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
Sam: Maybe. It just feels really discouraging right now.
Chloe: I know, but think how much better you'll be next time from the extra practice!
Social Media Examples
- Fitness Post: Pushed myself harder than ever today! Felt like dying, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 💪 #FitnessMotivation #NoPainNoGain
- Blog Post Title: My Journey Through Burnout: How What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger Became My Mantra
- Tweet: Survived a week of intense deadlines and technical failures. Definitely feeling the 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' vibe right now. #WorkLife #Resilience
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Acknowledgement: That's true. / I hope so. / Definitely.
- Skepticism/Cynicism: Or it just leaves you traumatized. / Easy for you to say. / Sometimes it just weakens you.
- Sharing related experience: Yeah, I remember when I...
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: The listener might reflect on their own experiences, express agreement or disagreement, or ask how the speaker applies this philosophy.
- After saying it: The speaker might elaborate on the specific hardship being discussed, offer further encouragement, or share a personal anecdote related to the saying.
Conversation Starter
- Can be, especially when reflecting on past challenges or offering encouragement. You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
Intonation
- Often stated with a sense of philosophical reflection, resilience, or encouragement.
- Can have emphasis on STRONGER. What doesn't kill you makes you STRONGER.
Generation Differences
- Widely known across generations, partly due to Nietzsche and reinforced for Millennials/Gen Z by the Kelly Clarkson song.
Regional Variations
- Used globally in English-speaking countries.