External failures are not the real problem—losing hope is. As long as you keep your spirit up, you can overcome any number of difficulties.
This saying reflects Chinese resilience and optimism in the face of hardship. It's often used in times of national or personal crisis to boost morale.
It places the locus of control within the individual—a common theme in Chinese folk wisdom. By saying 'don't fear setbacks, fear losing heart,' it encourages emotional resilience and frames discouragement as the true enemy, not external events.
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