Yī yǐn, yī zhuó; mòfēi qián dìng.

一飲一啄, 莫非前定。

Lit Every drink [and] every bite, there is none [which is] not foreordained.

Fig One cannot get what is denied him by destiny, no matter how hard he tries.

Note [Cf. Xǐng Shì Héng Yán, chap. 29; see also mìng lǐ yǒu shí above.]

Topics FATE INEVITABILITY