The notion of adjusting one’s actions to the “times” comes from The Book of Changes. The “times” refer to the opportunities or chances that present themselves as human activities progress. In the circumstances determined by the times, one should choose correspondingly suitable methods of handling affairs. The appearance and disappearance of opportunities and chances, and their impact on human affairs reflect the principles of the way of heaven and human affairs. People should recognize and keep pace with the change of the times and adapt in agreement with the times.

Either to decrease or to increase, to inflate or to deflate: all should go with the times. (The Book of Changes)

One should not be obstinate and thus must not handle different things in the same manner. Only those who go with the times can go through changes while remaining open-minded in their understanding of things. (Guo Xiang: Annotations on Zhuangzi)