When misfortune reaches its limit, good fortune follows.
📜 Origin
《周易》
💡 Detailed Explanation
"Out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss" originates from the philosophical ideas of the Book of Changes, in which "Pi" (Stagnation) and "Tai" (Peace) are two of the sixty-four hexagram names. The "Pi" hexagram symbolizes heaven and earth not interacting and blockage and obstruction, representing adversity and bad luck; the "Tai" hexagram symbolizes heaven and earth in harmony and all things flowing smoothly, representing favorable circumstances and good luck. The idiom means that when bad luck reaches its end, good luck will arrive, embodying the dialectical principle that things reverse when they reach an extreme and that when prosperity reaches its peak, decline begins. In its deeper meaning, it encourages people to remain hopeful in difficult circumstances and to believe that after darkness there must be dawn. It is mostly used to comfort people in a low point or to describe a turning point in which a situation changes from bad to good. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the traditional Chinese worldview of the transformation of yin and yang and cyclical recurrence. In emotional coloring, it carries a sense of optimism, positivity, and consolation, emphasizing patience and perseverance. Overall, this idiom is not only a description of fate, but also an expression of life wisdom.
📝 Example
1. After years of business failures, he finally saw his luck turn around, and this year his company went from losses to profits. (Referring to the end of bad luck and the beginning of good fortune.)
2. After suffering one setback after another, he believed that when things reach their lowest point, they will turn around, and as long as he kept going, a turning point would eventually come. (Referring to the idea that when adversity reaches its extreme, things will improve.)