"Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven"

The saying from Confucius offers a profound reflection on fate, circumstance, and the limitations of human control within life. He distinguishes between two spheres: what is decreed for individuals, such as death and life, and what might come to one due to forces beyond mere personal effort, such as riches and honor.

“Death and life have their determined appointments” alludes to the idea that certain key moments of existence, coming into life and leaving it, are set beyond our grasp. These events happen according to a natural order or cosmic law rather than any personal scheme or desire. No individual, however wise or powerful, has the command to decide their birth or entirely predict their end. By pointing to these milestones as “determined appointments,” Confucius stresses the humbling forces that govern every existence and the necessity of accepting their inevitability.

The latter part of the saying, “riches and honors depend upon heaven,” turns the focus to those outcomes traditionally coveted by people: wealth and social esteem. Instead of attributing these solely to effort, merit, or cunning, Confucius warns that such advantages are not entirely products of human capability. The use of “heaven” (Tian), a concept central to Confucian philosophy, signifies an overarching source of order, destiny, or moral authority. Attainment of wealth or status is therefore partly a matter of the right circumstances, timing, and moral alignment with heaven’s will. One might work tirelessly for riches and honors, yet if it is not aligned with the broader design or cosmic justice, such attainments may remain elusive.

Altogether, the aphorism teaches acceptance, humility, and a recognition of boundaries in human effort. It suggests acting ethically and diligently, but always with the awareness that ultimate outcomes rest with powers greater than individual will. This perspective fosters resilience in adversity and gratitude in success, as both are understood within the grand scheme of existence.