Chinese proverb? help!

[PinyinHarry]

Hi!

 

I am just trying to decipher the meaning behind the characters in the photo.

 

I think I have the first line correct (Going from right - left), but of course, I am not certain -

 

升 - Shēng

高 - gāo

必 - bì

自 - zì

下 - xià

 

Then the second line I am having a little difficulty! But characters 3 and 4 are again -

 

必 - bì

自 - zì

 

But I am unsure of character 1,2 and 5.

 

Together I think it is something like 'Starting at the bottom, and rising to the top' maybe?

 

If someone can help me out, thanks so much in advance!

 

[Kamille]

It's written "升高必自下，陟遠必自邇".

There's an explanation here: http://xuewen.cnki.net/R2012111250000012.html

Here's a rough translation: "if you want to reach the top, you have to start from the bottom, and if you want to go far away you have to start from what is close". Your instinct was good

 

Apart from that, it looks like originally 遐 was used instead of 遠 (but since they mean the same...). It comes from a confucianist history book (the first history book in China's history), and the original text was exactly: "若升高。必自下。若陟遐。必自邇。". It's about 太甲, who was apparently one of the first kings of the Shang dynasty.

 

Here is some information about him in Chinese and in English.

[PinyinHarry]

Thank you so much Kamille! That is so helpful and very interesting! This forum is really very awesome, you guys are always ho helpful.....and quick!

 

Is the book you refer to called 'The Shàngshū  尚書' or 'Book of Documents'?

[Kamille]

Precisely. It's the 尚書.

[PinyinHarry]

Awesome! Thank you so much once again Kamille!