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
Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can have a word with him?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the importance of simplicity and the limitations of language in conveying true understanding.
In this quote, Zhuangzi suggests that the complexities of language can obscure deeper truths. He yearns for a person who has transcended the confines of words, implying that true communication and understanding may often lie beyond verbal expression. It reflects a philosophical contemplation on the relationship between language, thought, and perception in the quest for wisdom.
Themes
LanguageUnderstandingWisdomCommunicationPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy seminar discussing the nature of reality and perception.
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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