Shlomo HaMelech wrote “Sheva Yipol Tzaddik Vekam” – “A tzaddik falls seven times, and rises” (Mishlei 24:16).
Poshut pshat is a tzaddik moves on even with his many falls.
Rav Yitzchak Hutner ZT”L explained it that a tzaddik IS a tzaddik BECAUSE he fell 7 times, and then he got up.
In a letter to a student experiencing hard times, Rav Hutner expressed the idea that achieving gadlus is a process of overcoming and moving on. He explained that while we imagine tzaddikim being born righteous, it is more likely that they STRUGGLED to become great!
Rav Yitzchak Hutner (as told by BaalHabooze)
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/growing-through-falling#post-302417