Zhuangzi
Zhuangzi
spiritual categories existence
If there is existence, there must be non-existence. And if there was a time when nothing existed, there must have been a time before that - when even nothing did not exist. Suddenly, when nothing came into existence, could one really say whether it belonged to the category of existence or non-existence?
order people misguided
People value that part of knowledge which is known. They do not know how to avail themselves of the Unknown in order to reach knowledge. Is this not misguided?
life-and-death unity body
...the ten thousand things belong to one storehouse and life and death share the same body.
life running knowledge
To use what has a boundary to pursue what is limitless is dangerous; with this knowledge, if we still go after knowledge, we will run into trouble. Do not do what is good in order to gain praise. If you do what is bad be sure to avoid the punishment. Follow the Middle Course, for this is the way to keep yourself together, to sustain your life, to care for your parents and to live for many years.
confused confusion confusing
He who knows he is a fool is not the biggest fool; He who knows he is confused is not in the worst confusion.
ocean frogs wells
A frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean.
promise mind victory
Sound intelligence promises victory in every battle.
respect men sight
The man who has some respect for his person keeps his carcass out of sight, hides himself as perfectly as he can.
life men breathe
The true man breathes with his heels.
emptiness tao fullness
Tao is the source of both fullness and emptiness. But it is itself neither fullness nor emptiness.
teacher children littles
The little child learns to speak, though it has no learned teachers - because it lives with those who know how to speak.
brother play eggs
The raven hatches its young; the fish spew forth their eggs; the slim-waisted wasp transforms, and when a younger brother comes along the elder brother weeps. For too long I have not been able to work in harmony with these changes. So, given that I did not play my part in harmony with others, how could I expect to change people?
encouragement anxiety mind
Those who follow the Tao are of clear mind. They do not load their mind with anxieties and are flexible in their adjustment to external conditions.
facts exaggeration transmit
Transmit the established facts; do not transmit words of exaggeration. If you do that, you will probably come out all right.