📖 Meaning
Heaven blesses the good and brings misfortune upon the wicked. It expresses the traditional Chinese belief in cosmic moral justice, where virtue is rewarded and vice is punished.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Book of Documents' (尚书), specifically the chapter 'Tang's Announcement' (汤诰) from the Shang dynasty. After King Tang of Shang overthrew the tyrant Jie of Xia, he addressed his subjects, declaring that the Mandate of Heaven operates on moral principles: the Way of Heaven blesses the good and punishes the wicked. Tang explained that Heaven had sent calamity upon the Xia dynasty to manifest its crimes, thereby justifying his conquest as an act of divine justice rather than mere usurpation.
💡 Example Usage
天道福善祸淫，行善者终得善报。
The Way of Heaven blesses the good and punishes the wicked; those who do good will ultimately receive their just reward.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 福善祸淫
- Pinyin: fú shàn huò yín
- Literal Translation: blessing, good, misfortune, evil
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4