# "Lathe of Heaven" mistranslation?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lathe-of-heaven-mistranslation/508217
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [August 30, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lathe-of-heaven-mistranslation/508217 "2009-08-30T01:04:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lathe-of-heaven-mistranslation/508217/1 "2009-08-30T01:04:05Z")
According to the [wiki page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lathe_of_Heaven) for Ursula LeGuin’s novel, the title phrase comes from a Chuang Tsu quote “To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment. Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven.” It’s been politely pointed out to her several times that this is an incorrect translation, and that in fact there were no lathes in ancient China. OK fine, but what would the correct translation of this phrase be? Original Chinese can be found at the above link. I’m having trouble finding the phrase in longer original sources though.
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### Author:  [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lathe-of-heaven-mistranslation/508217/2 "2009-08-31T02:29:56Z")
[Here’s a good start](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=426242) on the subject.
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### Author:  [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lathe-of-heaven-mistranslation/508217/3 "2009-08-31T05:32:22Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#):
>
> [Here’s a good start](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=426242) on the subject.
Wow! Of all the obscure things to have already been covered… Thanks!