📖 Meaning
The eternal and unchanging principles between heaven and earth. It refers to something that is absolutely correct and cannot be altered, or something that is taken for granted as naturally right. Often used to describe a self-evident truth or an unquestionable duty.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Zuo Zhuan' (左传·昭公二十五年), a major historical commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals from the Spring and Autumn period. The text states that propriety (礼) is the principle of heaven, the righteousness of earth, and the proper conduct of the people. Duke Zhao of Lu sought counsel from the minister Zi Taishu regarding ritual propriety. The passage elevates ritual to the level of cosmic law, asserting it governs both natural and human order. Over time the phrase condensed into the four-character idiom denoting absolute, immutable truth.
💡 Example Usage
赡养年迈的父母是天经地义的事。
Supporting one's aging parents is simply the natural and unquestionable thing to do.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 天经地义
- Pinyin: tiān jīng dì yì
- Literal Translation: heaven, principle, earth, righteousness
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4