This saying comes from the book Xunzi, which is named after the philosopher Xunzi (313?–238BC). He believed that heaven and mankind each have their own duties and that the operations of heaven, earth and human affairs follow their respective laws. In this sense, we should not consider either societal peace and turbulence or fortune and misfortune as the reward or punishment of heaven. Hence Xunzi opposed extolling or even ingratiating oneself with heaven in exchange for benefit. He also pointed out that in the course of natural evolution heaven nourishes all things and endows humans with their body, emotion, and desire. Therefore, one needs to grasp the endowments of heaven and make use of them in accordance with the laws.

To obey and extol heaven is not as good as to grasp the endowments of heaven and make use of them in accordance with the laws. (Xunzi)