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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of moderation and the dangers of pursuing limitless knowledge without restraint.
Zhuangzi's quote reflects on the balance between the pursuit of knowledge and the understanding of our limitations. It warns against the recklessness of seeking endless knowledge or good deeds simply for recognition, suggesting that true wisdom lies in recognizing our boundaries and following a moderate path that ensures stability and care for loved ones. By choosing the Middle Course, one can sustain a harmonious life that values both personal growth and familial responsibilities.
Themes
BalanceKnowledgeModerationWisdomLifeFamily
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a philosophy class discussion about ethics and the pursuit of knowledge.
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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