A gem cannot be polished without friction

Meaning: Excellence and greatness are only achieved through struggle and hardship.

Origin: Chinese proverb rooted in Confucian philosophy on self-improvement.

Translations

• French: Une gemme ne peut être polie sans frottement (literally: A gem cannot be polished without friction)
• Spanish: Una joya no puede ser pulida sin fricción (literally: A gem cannot be polished without friction)
• Japanese: 玉磨かざれば光なし (Tama migakazareba hikari nashi) (literally: A jewel not polished has no shine)

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