📖 Meaning
The relationship between heaven (natural law) and human affairs. It refers to the interplay between the natural order and human events, a central theme in Chinese philosophy since the Han dynasty.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Han dynasty historian Sima Qian's famous letter 'Reply to Ren Shaoqing' (报任少卿书). After suffering the punishment of castration, Sima Qian expressed his resolve to investigate the relationship between heaven and humanity, to understand the changes from ancient to modern times, and to establish his own school of thought through writing. This letter explained his determination to complete his monumental historical work, the Records of the Grand Historian (史记). The phrase has since become a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophical discourse.
💡 Example Usage
古代学者常探究天人之际，以求治国安民之道。
Ancient scholars often explored the relationship between heaven and humanity in order to find the way to govern and bring peace to the people.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 天人之际
- Pinyin: tiān rén zhī jì
- Literal Translation: heaven, human, 's, boundary
- Category: Philosophy
- Characters: 4