Suffering and maturity

Does suffering automatically make someone a better person? I think suffering can be a catalyst but wisdom needs to be part of the mix for there to be real benefit. This point is also made by B. Alan Wallace in his book, The Seven-Point Mind Training:

If there is no suffering, then there is no renunciation, no aspiration to emerge from mental distortions and a way of life pervaded by dissatisfaction. I do not believe that suffering matures us by itself. My knowledge of history and my own experience persuade me that it is patently untrue that a person who suffers a lot automatically becomes a better person. Suffering alone is not sufficient: an intelligent, insightful response to the suffering is needed. With these two together, [the wisdom teachings] and suffering, we can definitely grow through a wholesome transformation.

One of the great benefits of meditating on impermanence is the realization that transformation is indeed possible because without impermanence we would be unable to change. But because of impermanence we can, indeed, change and so transformation can be ours. We only need to be faithful to our meditative practice and our commitment to cultivating compassion.