How true is Nietzsche’s words, “What does not kill me makes me stronger”? Does suffering make you stronger, or is it just an illusion?

The aphorism “What does not kill me makes me stronger” (Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker) from Friedrich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra is often discussed as one of the cornerstones of his philosophical system. Although this statement may seem like a summary of Nietzsche’s thoughts on life, pain, and human nature, it carries a much more complex meaning than superficial optimism.

Nietzsche’s Understanding of Pain and Power

In Nietzsche’s philosophy, pain is an inevitable part of existence and one of the fundamental dynamics that shape the meaning of human life. For him, pain is not just an obstacle or misfortune, but a catalyst in the process of rebuilding oneself and approaching the ideal of the “superman” (Übermensch). Nietzsche does not romantically glorify pain; on the contrary, he sees it as a means of testing and transformation. In this context, the phrase “What does not kill me makes me stronger” suggests that pain can move the individual from a passive victim to an active creator.

However, this claim should not be understood as a universal reality, but as a potential related to the individual’s response to pain. With his concept of the Will to Power (Der Wille zur Macht), Nietzsche emphasizes the desire to give meaning to one’s life and create order in the face of chaos. Pain is a field where this will is tested. If the individual can make sense of pain, confront it, and make it part of his or her existential project, this process can truly lead to empowerment. Otherwise, pain can crush the individual and drive him or her into nihilism or the passive conformism of the “last man” (der letzte Mensch).

The Empowering Potential of Pain

From Nietzsche’s perspective, the empowering effect of pain is related to the individual’s ability to embrace the principle of amor fati (love of fate). As in the idea of ​​the Eternal Return (Ewige Wiederkunft), if an individual is willing to relive every moment of their life—including pain—infinitely, this is a sign of existential maturity and strength. In this context, pain enables the individual to recognize their own limits, overcome their weaknesses, and create their own values. For example, Nietzsche’s own life—constant health problems, loneliness, and social exclusion—has been the engine of his philosophical production. This shows that he sees pain as a kind of “creative destruction.”

In philosophical terms, this idea can also be read as a counterpoint to Schopenhauer’s pessimism. While Schopenhauer sees life as a meaningless cycle of pain, Nietzsche suggests embracing pain rather than rejecting it. Pain is a tool in the process of constructing an individual’s own existential meaning; therefore, the potential for empowerment depends on the individual’s attitude toward pain and how they deal with it.

A Critical Perspective: Does Pain Always Empower?

The acceptance of Nietzsche’s aphorism as a universal truth is open to some criticisms. First of all, pain does not have the same effect on every individual. Psychological, sociological and biological factors shape the effect of pain on the individual. For example, while traumatic experiences can strengthen some individuals, they can drive others into a permanent state of helplessness and fragility. The concept of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in modern psychology shows that pain does not always result in a constructive transformation. Although Nietzsche’s philosophy places great emphasis on the will and creative capacity of the individual, this approach may not sufficiently take into account external factors such as structural inequalities, systematic oppression or biological limitations.

Furthermore, Nietzsche’s concept of “power” should be understood as an existential depth and originality rather than a physical or social superiority. However, in popular culture, this aphorism has often become a kind of cliché slogan for individual resilience. This leads to a dilution of the deep philosophical meaning that Nietzsche intended. The empowering effect of pain depends solely on the individual’s capacity to make sense of and reframe the pain; otherwise, pain is not, in itself, an automatic source of strength.

Is Pain an Illusion?

The question of whether the empowering effect of pain is an illusion is related to Nietzsche’s critique of nihilism. If the individual merely tries to cover up the pain with an illusion of “meaning” or “power,” this may be a form of the “herd morality” that Nietzsche criticizes. For example, seeing pain as a sacred sacrifice or a divine test is, according to Nietzsche, an individual surrendering their will and creative power to an external authority. Such an illusion, rather than a true empowerment, imprisons the individual in a state of passive acceptance.

However, Nietzsche’s own philosophy also implies that the meaning of pain is a kind of “creative illusion.” The idea of ​​life as art argues that man must create his own meaning in a chaotic and meaningless world. In this context, the empowering effect of pain, even if it is an illusion, is a necessary illusion for the individual to pursue his existential project. What is important for Nietzsche is that this illusion arises from the individual’s own will and is an original creation.