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Life is finite, While knowledge is infinite.
Zhuangzi
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Life is limited, but the pursuit of knowledge is endless.

This quote by Zhuangzi highlights the contrast between the finite nature of human existence and the limitless potential for knowledge. It suggests that while our lives may be short and constrained, our quest for understanding and wisdom does not have to be, encouraging us to continually seek knowledge throughout our lives.

Themes

LifeKnowledgeInfinityWisdomUnderstanding

In practice

Example use cases

During a graduation speech to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning.

More from Zhuangzi

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.
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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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