Zhuangzi

For the wise man looks into space and he knows there is no limited dimensions.
Zhuangzi

Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.
Zhuangzi

I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.
Zhuangzi

We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.
Zhuangzi

Rewards and punishments are the lowest form of education.
Zhuangzi

Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. Great speech is impassioned, small speech cantankerous.
Zhuangzi

Those who realize their folly are not true fools.
Zhuangzi

Life comes from the earth and life returns to the earth.
Zhuangzi

Cherish that which is within you, and shut off that which is without; for much knowledge is a curse.
Zhuangzi

Men honor what lies within the sphere of their knowledge, but do not realize how dependent they are on what lies beyond it.
Zhuangzi

I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.
Zhuangzi

Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.
Zhuangzi

I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?
Zhuangzi

Those who seek to satisfy the mind of man by hampering it with ceremonies and music and affecting charity and devotion have lost their original nature.
Zhuangzi

All existing things are really one. We regard those that are beautiful and rare as valuable, and those that are ugly as foul and rotten The foul and rotten may come to be transformed into what is rare and valuable, and the rare and valuable into what is foul and rotten.
Zhuangzi

Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a word with him?
Zhuangzi

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Zhuangzi 1

Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi, also known as Chuang Tzu, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who lived around the 4th century BCE during the Warring States period of Chinese history. He is considered one of the most significant figures in Daoism (Taoism), a philosophical and spiritual tradition in China.

Zhuangzi is best known for his work, the “Zhuangzi,” which is a collection of philosophical and literary writings. This text is divided into various chapters and is known for its deep philosophical insights, allegorical stories, and poetic prose. It explores the Dao (Tao), which is the fundamental concept in Daoism representing the natural way or path that is in harmony with the universe. Zhuangzi’s writings often emphasize the importance of spontaneity, simplicity, and living in accordance with the Dao.

One of Zhuangzi’s most famous stories is the tale of the butterfly dream, where he questions the nature of reality and the distinction between dreams and waking life. This story reflects his philosophical skepticism and his belief in the relativity of human experience.

Zhuangzi’s teachings have had a profound influence on Chinese philosophy, Daoism, and the broader field of Asian thought. His ideas continue to be studied and appreciated for their depth and wisdom.

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