Q0211
“All under heaven is nothing but concrete things (qi). The Way is…” — Wang Fuzhi (Outer Commentary on the Book of…)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Outer Commentary on the Book of Changes. Theme: practice.
English
All under heaven is nothing but concrete things (qi). The Way is the Way of things; one cannot reverse this and call things merely vessels of an abstract Way.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Outer Commentary on the Book of Changes and files it under Neo-Confucianism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Wang Fuzhi
Wang Fuzhi (1619–1692) was a Ming–Qing Confucian philosopher who refused service to the Manchu Qing and wrote in seclusion. A fierce critic of Song–Ming metaphysical dualisms he judged empty, he emphasized concrete historical qi and practical learning.
How to read this passage
Many traditions insist that understanding without practice is incomplete—Stoic exercises, Confucian self-cultivation, Buddhist path, and pragmatist inquiry all treat doing as epistemic. This passage enters that discussion through practice.
Concepts in this quote
- Practice
- Practice is where thought becomes habit: philosophy as a way of living, training, and repeated action.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Wang Fuzhi. (n.d.). All under heaven is nothing but concrete things (qi). The Way is the Way of things; one cannot reverse this and call things merely vessels of an abstract Way. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0211
MLA: Wang Fuzhi. “All under heaven is nothing but concrete things….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0211.
Chicago: Wang Fuzhi. “All under heaven is nothing but concrete things….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0211.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “All under heaven is nothing but concrete things…”?
The passage is attributed to Wang Fuzhi, Outer Commentary on the Book of Changes. The archive attributes this English wording to Outer Commentary on the Book of Changes and files it under Neo-Confucianism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Wang Fuzhi mean by practice?
Many traditions insist that understanding without practice is incomplete—Stoic exercises, Confucian self-cultivation, Buddhist path, and pragmatist inquiry all treat doing as epistemic. This passage enters that discussion through practice.