Every time you experience a setback or loss, you gain wisdom from it. Chinese people use this to encourage someone who has been cheated or failed, reminding them that the pain is not wasted — it teaches a lesson that prevents future mistakes.
This reflects the Chinese pragmatic view of hardship: experience, even painful, is the best teacher. It's part of a broader cultural belief that wisdom comes from lived experience, not just books.
This saying turns a negative event into a positive growth opportunity. It signals that the speaker values resilience and learning, and it helps the listener save face by reframing their mistake as a stepping stone rather than a failure.
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