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
The creature born is the creature dying.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the cycle of life and death, suggesting that existence is inherently tied to impermanence.
Zhuangzi's quote underscores the fundamental philosophical idea that every creature is in a continuous state of transformation. The moment something is born, it is also on a path towards its eventual demise; this duality highlights the transient nature of life and serves as a reminder to appreciate the present while recognizing the inevitable changes that accompany existence.
Themes
LifeDeathTransienceChangePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on the importance of embracing life’s changes.
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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