"For gold is tried in the fire and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity"

This quote by George Santayana is a metaphor for how we can check the strength of an individual's character. Gold is a rare-earth element that is checked in fire to identify its purity and worth. Likewise, a person's character can be tested in the furnace of misfortune. Hardship can be found in lots of forms, such as financial hardship, illness, or the death of a liked one. It is throughout these difficult times that a person's real character is exposed. Those who stay strong and resistant in the face of hardship are the ones who are truly acceptable. This quote is a pointer that we should not evaluate an individual's character based upon their external appearance or success, but rather on how they manage the difficult times in life.