shùn顺obeyqí其itszì自selfrán然thus
Let nature take its course; let things be.
Literal meaning
obey (顺) — its (其) — self (自) — thus (然)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase suggesting acceptance of the natural order.
Examples
Wǒ我men们yīng应gāi该shùn顺qí其zì自rán然，bù不yào要qiǎng强qiú求。
We should let nature take its course and not force things.
Duì对yú于wú无fǎ法gǎi改biàn变de的shì事qíng情，zhǐ只néng能shùn顺qí其zì自rán然。
For things that cannot be changed, we can only let nature take its course.
Usage & nuances
Often used to express a passive or accepting attitude towards events.
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