At fifty one knows the will of Heaven. (from the Analects of Confucius)
Tips
history
天命 (Mandate of Heaven) is one of the most foundational concepts in Chinese political philosophy. First articulated by the Zhou dynasty to justify their overthrow of the Shang, it held that Heaven grants the right to rule to virtuous rulers — and withdraws it from corrupt ones. Natural disasters, peasant rebellions, and dynastic collapse were seen as signs that the Mandate had been revoked.
culture
In the Analects, Confucius says '五十而知天命' — 'At fifty I knew the decrees of Heaven.' This gave 天命 a second meaning: one's personal destiny or life's calling, separate from politics.
