依乎天理
Follow the grain nature gave it.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life)
The source
"Follow the grain nature gave it." Zhuangzi said it in Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
"依乎天理"Original Chinese, Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life). Chinese: Zhuangzi text via zh.wikisource; chapter title after Legge 1891.
Who said it
Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BC). Taoist storyteller of the butterfly dream, the useless tree and the cook who never dulled his knife.
Questions
- Who said "Follow the grain nature gave it."?
- Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BC). Source: Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life).
- What is the original Chinese?
- 依乎天理. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
Filed under Grit.
Wear Zhuangzi
Down with the whirl, up with the surge. Follow the water's way.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 19 (The Full Understanding of Life)
from$46
An empty boat hits yours and you don't get mad. Be the empty boat.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 20 (The Tree on the Mountain)
from$46
Don't talk ocean with a frog in a well.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 17 (The Floods of Autumn)
from$46
A strong fire eats whatever you throw on it.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.1
from$46
More from Zhuangzi
- If the water isn't deep, it can't carry a big boat.Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- A whole forest to nest in. The wren needs one branch.Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- No axe comes for what has no use. What could trouble it?Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- Am I Zhuang dreaming a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming Zhuang?Zhuangzi 2 (The Adjustment of Controversies)
- Life has a limit. Knowledge has none.Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life)
- Nineteen years, thousands of oxen, and the blade still looks new.Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life)