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
My description of wisdom has nothing to do with benevolence and righteousness, it is to do with being wise in one's own virtue, nothing more. My description of being has nothing to do with benevolence and righteousness, it is that one should be led by one's innate nature, nothing more.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wisdom is about understanding one's own nature and virtue, rather than adhering to external notions of goodness.
In this quote, Zhuangzi emphasizes that true wisdom arises from an individual's understanding and acceptance of their own nature and virtues, rather than conforming to societal standards of benevolence and righteousness. He suggests that wisdom is a personal journey that should be led by one's instincts and innate qualities, rather than by external expectations or moral guidelines.
Themes
WisdomVirtueNatureSelf-UnderstandingInnate
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on personal growth, one might quote Zhuangzi to emphasize the importance of self-awareness.
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
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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