Only in the darkness can you see the stars.

The line expresses a paradox of hope: adversity (“darkness”) can heighten perception of what is enduring and guiding (“stars”). Read this way, suffering does not become good in itself, but it can clarify values, reveal sources of courage, and make possibilities visible that comfort might obscure. The aphorism is often used in inspirational contexts to suggest resilience and moral orientation during crisis. Although frequently attributed to Martin Luther King Jr., it circulates widely as a general proverb-like saying; without a verifiable primary text, it is best treated as a modern inspirational maxim rather than a securely documented King quotation.