Listen to this articlexìnɡfèn 性分
Natural Attributes
万物的本性所规定的内容与限度。郭象（252—312）提出，每个人或每一事物都有各自的本性，且本性有着具体的内容与限度，如事物的大小、形状，人的年寿、智愚等。人和事物的本性是天生所具、不得不然的，因此也是不能改变的。万物都应该安于自身的“性分”。人和事物如果能够按照本性的要求，在“性分”的范围内活动行事，就是自由、逍遥的。
This term refers to the features and limitations determined by the intrinsic nature of all things. Guo Xiang (252-312), a scholar in the Western Jin Dynasty, pointed out that each person or object has his or its own intrinsic natural attributes, such as size and shape of an object, or the life expectancy and intelligence or lack of it of a person. The natural attributes of a person or an object are inborn and therefore unchangeable. All things should remain content with their natural attributes. If people and objects follow their own nature and act within the scope of their natural attributes, they can enjoy unhindered freedom of movement.
引例 Citation：
◎天性所受，各有本分，不可逃，亦不可加。（郭象《庄子注》）
（人和事物所禀受的天性，各有各的内容与限度，不能够逃避，也不能够改变。）
People and objects each have their own natural attributes and limitations, which they cannot ignore or alter. (Guo Xiang: Annotations on Zhuangzi)
