--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The workings of heaven are…" description: "\"The workings of heaven are unfathomable-sometimes encouraging, sometimes suppressing. All this makes sport of heroes and tumbles the great. Enlightened..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/zicheng-hong-7031_adversity_the-workings-of-heaven-are-unfathomable_1375371.jpg" --- # The workings of heaven are unfathomable-sometimes… ![“The workings of heaven are unfathomable-sometimes encouraging, sometimes suppressing. All this makes sport of heroes and tumbles the great. Enlightened people take adversity in stride and are prepared for trouble even when at ease; therefore, they are not at the mercy of fate.” quote by Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/zicheng-hong-7031_adversity_the-workings-of-heaven-are-unfathomable_1375371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/zicheng-hong-7031_adversity_the-workings-of-heaven-are-unfathomable_1375371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/692/zicheng-hong-7031_adversity_the-workings-of-heaven-are-unfathomable_1375371.jpg) > “The workings of heaven are unfathomable-sometimes encouraging, sometimes suppressing. All this makes sport of heroes and tumbles the great. Enlightened people take adversity in stride and are prepared for trouble even when at ease; therefore, they are not at the mercy of fate.” [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that enlightened individuals accept adversity, staying prepared and not ruled by destiny. **In simple terms:** Accept hardship, stay ready. Key Takeaway Cultivate resilience against fate. Themes resilience fate heroism Mood reflective steady Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - coaching - spiritual practice Key Concepts adversity preparedness inner peace Questions to Reflect On - How do you prepare for unexpected challenges? - What does “enlightened” mean to you? A Different Perspective May underestimate external constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) [Ease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ease/) [Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened/) [Enlightened People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightened-people-278938/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Great Enlightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-enlightened-1258112/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven Unfathomable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-unfathomable-4748087/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Adversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-adversity-2616447/) [Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Stride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stride/) [Suppressing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suppressing/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Unfathomable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfathomable/) ## Related quotes > [“There is nothing lacking in you, and you yourself are no different from the Buddha. There is no way of achieving Buddhahood other than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hoover/there-is-nothing-lacking-in-you-and-you-yourself-are-no-different/) [Thomas Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hoover/) > [It is great that even before we become enlightened or generate any lam-rim realizations we are able to offer incredible benefit to others. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thubten-zopa-rinpoche/it-is-great-that-even-before-we-become-enlightened-or-generate-any/) [Thubten Zopa Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thubten-zopa-rinpoche/) > [When enlightened people are so poor that they cannot help others, if they speak a word to awaken the confused or to resolve a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-enlightened-people-are-so-poor-that-they-cannot-help-others-if/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [When people are determined, they can overcome fate; when the will is unified, it can mobilize energy. Enlightened people do not even let nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-people-are-determined-they-can-overcome-fate-when-the-will-is/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Business and scholarship pass away with the person, but the soul is forever like new. Fame and fortune change with the generations, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/business-and-scholarship-pass-away-with-the-person-but-the-soul-is/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [When you are but slightly involved in the world, the effect the world has on you is also slight. When you are deeply enmeshed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-you-are-but-slightly-involved-in-the-world-the-effect-the-world/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Soil with a lot of manure in it produces abundant crops; water that is too clear has no fish. Therefore, enlightened people should maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/soil-with-a-lot-of-manure-in-it-produces-abundant-crops-water-that-is/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Not everybody gets to play their first year or second year. Some people have to go through adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/not-everybody-gets-to-play-their-first-year-or-second-year-some/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [There have been plenty of stories of people who go through adversity and had a bump in the road. The guys who persevere and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-webb/there-have-been-plenty-of-stories-of-people-who-go-through-adversity/) [Davis Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-webb/) > [Successful people see adversity as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/successful-people-see-adversity-as-a-stepping-stone-rather-than-a/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [I think what breaks people is not adversity; what breaks people is thinking that tomorrow is going to be just like yesterday. That's what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-think-what-breaks-people-is-not-adversity-what-breaks-people-is/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [A free, virtuous, and enlightened people must know full well the great principles and causes upon which their happiness depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/a-free-virtuous-and-enlightened-people-must-know-full-well-the-great/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-more-thoroughly-an-enlightened-people-with-respect-to-our/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Enlightened people like Osho are ahead of their times. It is good that more and more young people are now reading his works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-r-narayanan/enlightened-people-like-osho-are-ahead-of-their-times-it-is-good-that/) [K. R. Narayanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-r-narayanan/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Zicheng Hong > [In the mind engaged in struggling with hardship, one always finds something delightful. The sorrow of disappointment arises in the complacency of satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/in-the-mind-engaged-in-struggling-with-hardship-one-always-finds/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [People are considered pure of heart when they do not approach power and pomp; but those who can be near without being affected are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/people-are-considered-pure-of-heart-when-they-do-not-approach-power/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Blessings often give rise to injury, so be careful when things are going your way. Success may be achieved after failure, so don't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/blessings-often-give-rise-to-injury-so-be-careful-when-things-are/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Human affairs are like a chess game. Only those who do not take it seriously can be called good players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/human-affairs-are-like-a-chess-game-only-those-who-do-not-take-it/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Public behavior is nurtured in private; earthshaking measures come form careful steps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/public-behavior-is-nurtured-in-private-earthshaking-measures-come/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Even if you do no work that is particularly lofty or far-reaching, if you can shed mundane feelings, that is a great achievement. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/even-if-you-do-no-work-that-is-particularly-lofty-or-far-reaching-if/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [When one is not slipshod in small matters, not hypocritical in secret, and not reckless in disappointment, only then is one a true hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-one-is-not-slipshod-in-small-matters-not-hypocritical-in-secret/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [If those who give are conscious of their own generosity and those who receive feel indebted, they are no longer family but rather strangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/if-those-who-give-are-conscious-of-their-own-generosity-and-those-who/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [In whatever you do, if you leave a sense of incompleteness, then Creation cannot resent you, ghosts and spirits cannot harm you. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/in-whatever-you-do-if-you-leave-a-sense-of-incompleteness-then/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [The road of truth is broad; set the mind on it, and you feel expansive openness and broad clarity. The road of human desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/the-road-of-truth-is-broad-set-the-mind-on-it-and-you-feel-expansive/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [When you are constantly hearing offensive words and always have some irritating matter in mind, only then do you have a whetstone for character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-you-are-constantly-hearing-offensive-words-and-always-have-some/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Do not think about whatever service you may have done for others; think about what you may have done to offend them. Don't forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/do-not-think-about-whatever-service-you-may-have-done-for-others/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [Those who trust others will find that not everyone is necessarily sincere, but they will be sincere themselves. Those who suspect others will find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/those-who-trust-others-will-find-that-not-everyone-is-necessarily/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [When water isn't rippled, it is naturally still. When a mirror isn't clouded, it is clear of itself. So the mind is not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/when-water-isn-t-rippled-it-is-naturally-still-when-a-mirror-isn-t/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [You should be forgiving when others make mistakes, but not when the mistakes are in you. You should be patient under duress yourself, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/you-should-be-forgiving-when-others-make-mistakes-but-not-when-the/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) [Explore all 95 Zicheng Hong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) ## More Adversity quotes > [We love playing together and we love adversity. You know, back-to-back, the two best teams in the East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-nash/we-love-playing-together-and-we-love-adversity-you-know-back-to-back/) [Steve Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-nash/) > [When we have public success we also have private struggles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deion-sanders/when-we-have-public-success-we-also-have-private-struggles/) [Deion Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deion-sanders/) > [“The threats that resurfaced in the past 10 years were not an aberration. Al Qaeda and terrorism or one such threat, but it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-threats-that-resurfaced-in-the-past-10-years-were-not-an/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“Friction is necessary. Ease of life leads to complacency and the atrophy of the human will and spirit. Within our struggles lives our strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/friction-is-necessary-ease-of-life-leads-to-complacency-and-the/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Every adversity is just another opportunity to excel a little more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-templet/every-adversity-is-just-another-opportunity-to-excel-a-little-more/) [Michel Templet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-templet/) > [“Just because she doesn't talk about it, doesn't mean she isn't feeling it. She hurts, but she won't wear it on her sleeve. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfa-h/just-because-she-doesn-t-talk-about-it-doesn-t-mean-she-isn-t-feeling/) [Alfa H](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfa-h/) > [Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckham-kennedy/every-trial-endured-and-weathered-in-the-right-spirit-makes-a-soul/) [James Buckham Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buckham-kennedy/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Struggles are not associated to a particular people or creed, everyone struggles, not for the same reasons, but each has a personal struggle at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/struggles-are-not-associated-to-a-particular-people-or-creed-everyone/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/god-often-hides-his-blessing-in-trouble-or-trial-which-makes-it-all/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [“Life is not about less mistakes but about more trials”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-sever/life-is-not-about-less-mistakes-but-about-more-trials/) [S.E. SEVER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-sever/) > [Show your contempt for the problem and your concern for the person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/show-your-contempt-for-the-problem-and-your-concern-for-the-person/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-everything-feels-like-an-uphill-struggle-just-think-of-the-view/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 5,001 Adversity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The workings of heaven are unfathomable-sometimes encouraging, sometimes suppressing. All this makes sport of heroes and tumbles the great. 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