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
When deeds and words are in accord, the whole world is transformed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Alignment between actions and words can lead to significant change.
This quote by Zhuangzi emphasizes the importance of harmony between our actions (deeds) and our expressions (words). When these two aspects of our lives are in sync, it not only brings personal fulfillment but also has the potential to transform our surroundings and the world at large, advocating for authenticity and integrity in all we do.
Themes
DeedsWordsTransformationHarmonyAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar, you could use this quote to discuss the importance of integrity.
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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