There's a somewhat closer Chinese saying from Mencius, although it is not at all a curse and is advocating non-ironically for an "interesting" life.
生于忧患，而死于安乐也
In troubles and worry is there life. In peace and satisfaction is there death.
Yes by that sentence alone there's some ambiguity; it could be by living in troubles and worry [you shall] die in peace and satisfaction, but the preceding sentence in the work makes me lean away from that interpretation: 出则无敌国外患者，国恒亡 (if from without there are no opposing nations to worry about, then a country inevitably dies).
EDIT:
The whole preceding passage from the Mencius is an interesting paean to struggle.
Thus when Heaven is about to place such an important mission on the shoulders of these people, it first must hardship their hearts, tire their sinews and bones, famish their skin and flesh, impoverish their bodies, and foil their actions. Through this Heaven can move their hearts and impart patience upon their personalities, thereby improving their weaknesses.
Humans shall always make mistakes, but afterwards they can improve. They shall be hindered in their hearts and confounded in their thoughts. Afterwards shall they spring to action. They shall wear this pain on their face and express it with their speech. Afterwards shall they understand [or perhaps be understood].
生于忧患，而死于安乐也
In troubles and worry is there life. In peace and satisfaction is there death.
Yes by that sentence alone there's some ambiguity; it could be by living in troubles and worry [you shall] die in peace and satisfaction, but the preceding sentence in the work makes me lean away from that interpretation: 出则无敌国外患者，国恒亡 (if from without there are no opposing nations to worry about, then a country inevitably dies).
EDIT:
The whole preceding passage from the Mencius is an interesting paean to struggle.
故天将降大任于斯人也，必先苦其心志，劳其筋骨，饿其体肤，空乏其身，行拂乱其所为，所以动心忍性，曾益其所不能。
人恒过，然后能改。困于心，衡于虑，而后作；征于色，发于声，而后喻。
A rough translation:
Thus when Heaven is about to place such an important mission on the shoulders of these people, it first must hardship their hearts, tire their sinews and bones, famish their skin and flesh, impoverish their bodies, and foil their actions. Through this Heaven can move their hearts and impart patience upon their personalities, thereby improving their weaknesses.
Humans shall always make mistakes, but afterwards they can improve. They shall be hindered in their hearts and confounded in their thoughts. Afterwards shall they spring to action. They shall wear this pain on their face and express it with their speech. Afterwards shall they understand [or perhaps be understood].