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
Big? Sure. But, he can't catch mice! So for your big tree. No use? Then plant it in the wasteland - in emptiness. Walk idly around it and rest under it's shadow. No axe or saw prepares its end. No one will ever cut it down. Useless? You should worry!.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the idea that even seemingly useless things can have value and provide comfort or solace.
In this quote, Zhuangzi illustrates the notion that value is subjective and that even things which appear to serve no practical purpose, like a large tree in a wasteland, can offer benefits such as shade and a place for reflection. It challenges the listener to reconsider what is deemed 'useful' and suggests that there is merit in existence itself, reminding us not to dismiss things that seemingly lack utility.
Themes
ValueExistenceUtilityPhilosophyReflection
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on philosophical perspectives of nature.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes →Either 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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