"Those things that hurt, instruct" is a famous Benjamin Franklin quote.
I googled its meaning and many forums say that it means that challenges make you stronger. But I cannot find how the words in the sentence suggest this meaning.
Can you break down the sentence and explain the meaning?
Best Answer
"that hurt" is a restrictive clause which modifies (defines) "those things".
The verb phrase is "hurt", that is, "cause pain".
Hurt has both transitive and intransitive meaning:
Touching a hot frying pan hurts the fingertip. [to cause pain to something or someone]
Afterwards, the fingertip hurts. [to feel pain]
The entire phrase is the subject of the predication:
{Those things that cause pain} instruct.