ProverbWisdomJapanese origin

人事を尽くして天命を待つ (Jinji wo tsukushite tenmei wo matsu)

Meaning: Do everything you can, then accept whatever the outcome is.

Literally: Do all that is humanly possible, then await heaven's decree

Example: “試験勉強はやり切った。あとは人事を尽くして天命を待つだけだ。” — I've done all the studying I can; now I just do my best and leave the rest to fate.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, and Dutch

  • English: Do what thou ought, let come what may.
  • French: Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra (literally: Do what you ought, come what may)
  • Spanish: Haz lo que debes y sea lo que Dios quiera (literally: Do what you ought, and let it be what God wills)
  • German: Tue recht und scheue niemand (literally: Do right and fear no one)
  • Dutch: Doe wel en zie niet om (literally: Do right and don't look back)

Origin: Usually traced to the Song-dynasty scholar Hu Yin, whose Dushi guanjian has "do all that is human, and leave the rest to heaven's will."

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