Heaven Rewards Diligence

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Informant: Xinyi Chen, 27, F

Date Collected: 5/17/14

Genre: Proverb

Informant Data: Xinyi was born in Shanghai and lived there until high school, when she left for Singapore. Subsequently she left to attend school and work in the United States. Xinyi is a native speaker of Chinese, which is also her first language. Xinyi was interviewed when she visited campus over Green Key weekend.

Text/Texture 

Chinese: 天道酬勤 (Tiāndào chóu qín)
Literal Translation: Heaven rewards diligence

Free Translation: Your hard work will be ultimately rewarded; even though you won’t see the fruits of your hard work, the gods from above will eventually reward you

Context: The proverb is typically used by parents to a younger generation; if the child works really hard and doesn't get rewarded immediately, then it’s an encouragement.

Meaning/Interpretation: Xinyi suggests that this proverb stems from a Chinese culture belief in karma. The proverb effectively links hard work with inevitable success, and forgoes any ups and downs in the middle. The link between hard work and success is some sort of invisible force (a god, spiritual force, etc).