There is a more negative assessment of this idea, but I would need to coax AI to visit the devil on its shoulder.
ex: origins of phrase "every tragedy provides an opportunity"
AI Overview
The phrase "every tragedy provides an opportunity" is a modern adage that reflects Stoic philosophy and has parallels with the popular political saying,
"Never waste a good crisis." It is a general sentiment about resilience and learning, rather than a direct quote from a single, ancient source.
Key ideas related to the origin and meaning of this sentiment include:
- Stoicism: The philosophy of Stoicism, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, teaches that we are in control of our perspective on events, even catastrophic ones. The core idea is that while we cannot control what happens to us, we can control our response and find ways to learn and grow from hardship. As Epictetus might have put it, every event has two handles, and it is up to us which one we choose to use.
- "Never Waste a Good Crisis": A more common, modern version of this sentiment in political and business contexts is "Never let a good crisis go to waste". This phrase is often attributed to Winston Churchill, who is believed to have used it during World War II when discussing the formation of the United Nations. The original Greek word for "crisis" (krinein) actually means "to decide," reinforcing the idea that challenging times require decision-making and present an opportunity for change that might not be possible under normal, stable conditions. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel also popularized a version of this quote in the late 2000s.
- Modern Psychology: The concept is also present in modern psychological and self-help contexts, where individuals are encouraged to reframe stressful situations to find meaning and purpose, thus building resilience and personal growth.
So, while there's no single "originator" of the exact phrase you used, the core philosophy of turning adversity into advantage has been around for centuries!
This disc is incomparable to their other output, imo.