厚德载物

厚德載物
hòudézàiwù
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 great virtue can carry/bear all things
  2. 2 noble character supports great responsibility

Examples

Qīnghuá Dàxué de xiàoxùn shì zìqiángbùxī, hòudézàiwù.
Tsinghua University's motto is 'Strive ceaselessly; bear all things with great virtue.'
Zuò qǐyèjiā yào hòudézàiwù, cáinéng yíngdé chángjiǔ de xìnrèn.
An entrepreneur must have deep virtue to bear great burdens and earn lasting trust.

Tips

history
From the 《·》 (I Ching, Kun hexagram): 君子厚德载物 — 'The noble person, through deep virtue, carries all things.' Pairs with 君子自强不息 from the Qian hexagram.
culture
Famously the second half of Tsinghua University's motto, written by Liang Qichao (梁启超) in 1914. Highly literary and dignified — common in calligraphy, mottos, and formal speeches.

Stroke Order

hòu
zǎi