A proverb meaning that parents put their children through hardships so they grow stronger — literally, “the lion drops its cub into a deep valley,” only raising those who climb back up.
昔から「獅子は我が子を千尋の谷に落とす」と言われ、時には厳しさが子の成長に必要だと考えられてきた。
There is an old saying, “the lion drops its cub into a deep valley,” and it has long been thought that strictness is sometimes necessary for a child's growth.
両親は心配そうに見守ったが、祖父は『獅子は我が子を千尋の谷に落とす』とだけ言って、子どもを見守った。
The parents watched anxiously, but the grandfather only said, “the lion drops its cub into the deep valley,” and continued to observe the child.
上司は新人に厳しい仕事を任せた。『獅子は我が子を千尋の谷に落とす』ように、試練で育てるつもりらしい。
The boss gave the newcomer a tough assignment. It seems he intends to train them by trial, like “the lion drops its cub into the deep valley.”