The 'Suffering Builds Character' meme primarily draws inspiration from the legendary comic strip Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, where Calvin's father frequently uses the phrase to justify unpleasant chores or harsh weather. On the internet, the phrase has evolved into a sarcastic coping mechanism used to describe minor inconveniences, grueling work schedules, or emotional setbacks. It is often paired with images of exhausted characters, historical figures enduring hardships, or gamers facing impossible odds. The meme resonates because it pokes fun at the 'no pain, no gain' philosophy while acknowledging the shared absurdity of modern life’s many stressors.