Shared struggle is the foundation of human connection—it’s a powerful idea that explains why hardship, paradoxically, can bring us closer together than comfort ever does. It’s the glue that forges the deepest bonds between people, creating a sense of tribe and belonging that modern life often lacks. This isn’t just a feel-good notion; it’s a hard-wired human truth.
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Meaning
At its core, this means that the deepest, most resilient bonds between people are not formed in times of ease and plenty, but are forged in the fires of shared hardship and collective effort.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. We’re wired for this. Think about it. When you go through something difficult with a group—a tough project at work, a natural disaster, even just surviving a brutal startup phase—something profound happens. The usual social barriers drop. Ego diminishes. You start to rely on each other in a very fundamental way. That mutual dependency, that understanding that “we’re in this together,” creates a connection that’s miles deeper than any casual friendship. It’s the reason veterans miss the camaraderie of war zones, or why neighbors become a tight-knit community after a blackout. The struggle itself becomes the thing that binds you.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Relationship (329) |
| Topics | connection (265), struggle (7), unity (20) |
| Literary Style | concise (408), direct (414) |
| Emotion / Mood | inspiring (392), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 82 (297) |
Origin & Factcheck
This insight comes directly from Sebastian Junger’s 2016 book, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, published in the United States. It’s a work of non-fiction that explores post-traumatic stress and community. You won’t find this quote falsely attributed to other authors; it’s pure Junger, born from his observations as a war reporter and his deep research into human tribal behavior.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Sebastian Junger (60) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging (60) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Sebastian Junger is born in Belmont, United States on 1962. He studied cultural anthropology at Wesleyan University and built his career in journalism. He is the one of the leading contributor and editor at Vanity Fair. Along with Tim Hetherington, he codirected Restrepo(2010 American documentary), which went on to win Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize and an Academy Award nomination. The Sebastian Junger book list includes The Perfect Storm, Tribe, A Death in Belmont, Freedom, War, and In My Time of Dying, each marked by distinct writing style
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Shared struggle is the foundation of human connection |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2016; ISBN: 978-1-4555-6638-6; Last edition: 2017; Number of pages: 192. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 2: War Makes You an Animal, Approximate page 58 from 2017 edition |