厚德载物

厚德載物

hòudé-zàiwù

idiom

Meanings

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

Characters

thick; deep; generous

virtue; moral character

to carry; to bear

things; the world

Examples

HSK 6

做企业家要厚德载物，才能赢得长久的信任。

Zuò qǐyèjiā yào hòudézàiwù, cáinéng yíngdé chángjiǔ de xìnrèn.

An entrepreneur must have deep virtue to bear great burdens and earn lasting trust.

HSK 7-9

清华大学的校训是自强不息，厚德载物。

Qīnghuá Dàxué de xiào xùn shì zìqiángbùxī, hòudézàiwù.

Tsinghua University's motto is 'Strive ceaselessly; bear all things with great virtue.'

Tips

history

From the 《周易·坤》 (I Ching, Kun hexagram): 君子以厚德载物 - 'The noble person, through deep virtue, carries all things.' Pairs with 天行健，君子以自强不息 from the Qian hexagram.

culture

Famously the second half of Tsinghua University's motto, written by 梁启超 in 1914. Highly literary and dignified, common in calligraphy, mottos, and formal speeches.

Stroke Order

厚 hòu

德 dé

载 zǎi

物 wù