This quote implies that the true measure of character is not necessarily in the suffering or sorrow one experiences, but rather in how one chooses to respond to these adversities. When a person voluntarily bears their pain and suffering, they are making a conscious choice to endure, learn from it and grow. This voluntary endurance often results in personal growth and character development as individuals gain wisdom, resilience, empathy and strength through their trials.
However, when sorrow or suffering is imposed upon someone – perhaps through circumstances beyond their control – it may not lead to the same kind of character development. It could potentially lead to resentment or bitterness instead because these individuals did not choose this path for themselves.
In today’s world where challenges are inevitable due to life’s unpredictability, this idea can be applied by taking ownership of our responses towards adversity. Instead of seeing hardships as burdens imposed on us unfairly by life or other people, we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
In terms of personal development too, this concept encourages us towards active resilience rather than passive victimhood. For instance, if you lose your job unexpectedly (an imposed hardship), you have two options: you can either wallow in self-pity (not leading to any positive character development) or decide consciously that you will face this challenge head-on by seeking new opportunities (which will likely enhance your resilience).
Therefore according Gandhi’s perspective expressed in the quote above; our approach towards adversities defines our characters more than the adversities themselves do. The key lies not so much with what happens ‘to’ us but rather with how we react ‘towards’ what happens.