Wisdom
Deep
天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福
tiān yǒu bù cè fēng yún, rén yǒu dàn xī huò fú
Storms come without warning; fortune and misfortune arrive overnight.
Literal translation
The sky has unpredictable wind and clouds; people have morning-and-evening disaster and blessing.
What it means
Just as weather changes suddenly, so do human fortunes. Good...
Just as weather changes suddenly, so do human fortunes. Good luck and bad luck can strike at any moment, so live with humility and gratitude.
Cultural context
This is the full version of the previous saying, often quoted in classical literature and opera to mark a twist of fate.
When Chinese people say this
Someone might say this when a family suddenly becomes rich or poor, or when a healthy person falls ill, to remind others of life's fragility.
Why Chinese people say this
Chinese people use this to cultivate emotional balance—neither too proud in good times nor too despairing in bad times. It signals a mature acceptance of life's volatility.
#caution
#karma
#human-nature
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