The word "taste courage" comes from Su Shi's "Quasi-Sun Quan Answer to Cao Cao" in the Song Dynasty: from the servant; Be content with the status quo; Lament the death of the sun and the moon, lament the decline of fame.

The specific content of this allusion is that during the Warring States Period, the State of Yue was defeated by the State of Wu, and Gou Jian, the king of Yue, was determined to take revenge. It is said that he sleeps on firewood, so whether he eats or sleeps, he should taste the bitterness and encourage himself not to forget his shame so that he can avenge himself one day. After a long period of preparation, he finally defeated Wu.

extended meaning

Later, it evolved into an idiom to describe people's efforts and self-motivation, their determination to avenge themselves and make great efforts, and finally came through thick and thin. It also expresses that as long as we have a goal, work hard for it, overcome difficulties and keep moving forward, we will eventually succeed.

Related famous sentences

There is also a famous saying related to this idiom: where there is a will, there is a way, cross the rubicon, 102 Qin Guan will eventually Chu; Hard-working people, heaven rewards hard work, and never stops. More than 3,000 armour can swallow Wu. It also fully proves that ambitious people will succeed in doing things and will never fail them, just as Gou Jian swallowed Wu with only 3,000 people.