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
True depth of understanding is wide and steady,_x000D_ _x000D_ Shallow understanding is lazy and wandering,_x000D_ _x000D_ Words of wisdom are precise and clear
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding requires effort and clarity, while superficial knowledge tends to be aimless.
This quote from Zhuangzi emphasizes the importance of deep understanding over shallow knowledge. It contrasts the qualities of true wisdom, which is characterized by clarity and precision, with the vagueness and lack of direction that come with a superficial grasp of concepts, highlighting that genuine understanding is both comprehensive and consistent.
Themes
UnderstandingWisdomKnowledgeClarityEffort
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about education, to emphasize the importance of deep knowledge.
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.
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