This quote uses a vivid domestic metaphor to celebrate resilience and hidden strength. The "tea bag" represents a person, and "hot water" symbolizes adversity, difficulty, or challenging circumstances. The core idea is that true character — especially in women — often remains invisible until tested by hardship. Widely attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt (though unverified), the saying has become a staple of feminist and motivational discourse, reminding readers that struggle can reveal strength rather than diminish it.