The hearing that is only in the ears is one thing. The hearing of the understanding is another. But the hearing of the spirit is not limited to any one faculty to the ear, or to the mind.
ZhuangziRead
He who knows the activities of Nature lives according to Nature.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding nature allows one to align their life with its principles.
This quote by Zhuangzi highlights the importance of being aware of and in tune with the natural world. It suggests that those who comprehend the rhythms and laws of nature can lead a life that is harmonious and fulfilling, reflecting a deeper wisdom and respect for the environment surrounding them.
Themes
NatureWisdomHarmonyUnderstandingLife
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about environmental conservation, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of living in harmony with nature.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes βEither in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
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When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
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The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
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The mind remains undetermined in the great Void. Here the highest knowledge is unbounded. That which gives things their thusness cannot be delimited by things. So when we speak of 'limits', we remain confined to limited things. The limit of the unlimited is called 'fullness.' The limitlessness of the limited is called 'emptiness.' Tao is the source of both. But it is itself neither fullness nor emptiness
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All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
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Calvin: Today for show and tell, I've brought a tiny miracle of nature: a single snowflake! I think we might all learn a lesson from how this utterly unique and exquisite crystal turns into an ordinary, boring molecule of water just like every other one when you bring it into the classroom. And now, while the analogy sinks in, I will be leaving you drips and going outside.
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Walking . . . is how the body measures itself against the earth.
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There's something about rushing water that I can watch for hours and feel as if I need to do nothing more. It's alive in a way that's greater than any description of it.
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Why is it that so many of us persist in thinking that autumn is a sad season? Nature has merely fallen asleep, and her dreams must be beautiful if we are to judge by her countenance.
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In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.
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As our cities and suburbs relentlessly expand, those priceless open spaces needed for recreation areas accessible to their people are swallowed up-often forever. Unless we preserve these spaces while they are still available, we will have none to preserve.
Richard M. NixonRead