자구다복

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Korean

Etymology

From the Hanja verse, 永言配命 自求多福, literally "always accord to the will of Heaven, help yourself seek lots of bliss", as recorded in the 10th century B.C.E. in "Wen Wang" of the "Decade of Wen Wang" of the "Major Court Hymns" of the Classic of Poetry (詩經 / 大雅 / 文王之什 / 文王).

Proverb

자구다복 (jagudabok)

  1. God / heaven helps those who help themselves.

Usage notes

  • The Korean expression does not have as much of a religious overtone as its English counterparts.
  • The oriental tradition has it that you are blessed as far as you accord with the will of heaven (compare God's grace).

See also