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 be constant is to be useful. To be useful is to realize one's true nature. Realization of one's true nature is happiness. When one reaches happiness, one is close to perfection.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness comes from understanding and embracing one's true self, which forms the basis of a meaningful life.
This quote by Zhuangzi emphasizes the connection between consistency, usefulness, and self-realization. It suggests that being constant in one's actions leads to a sense of utility which, in turn, fosters an understanding of one's true nature. Achieving this self-awareness is deemed essential for attaining happiness, and such happiness is closely associated with reaching a state of perfection in life. Overall, it encourages individuals to pursue their authentic selves as the pathway to true fulfillment.
Themes
HappinessSelf-RealizationTrue NaturePerfectionConstancyUtility
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one could quote Zhuangzi to highlight the importance of self-awareness.
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.
ZhuangziRead
When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
ZhuangziRead
The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
ZhuangziRead
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
ZhuangziRead
All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
ZhuangziRead
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