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Hardship Deep

否极泰来

pǐ jí tài lái
When things hit rock bottom, they begin to improve.

Extreme misfortune, then good fortune arrives.

After the worst period of bad luck, fortune will eventually ...

After the worst period of bad luck, fortune will eventually turn for the better. It is an expression of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

This phrase comes from the I Ching, where 'Pi' and 'Tai' are two hexagrams representing misfortune and prosperity. The concept reflects the Daoist belief in the cyclical nature of life.

Someone might say this when a friend has lost their job and is feeling hopeless, or when a business is struggling through a rough quarter but the owner remains optimistic.

It provides psychological comfort and encourages perseverance. In a culture that values endurance (忍耐), this saying reminds people that suffering is temporary and that patience will be rewarded.

#hard-times #patience #karma

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