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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The true man breathes with his heels.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a truly wise person is grounded and authentic, drawing strength and stability from their foundation.
Zhuangzi's quote, 'The true man breathes with his heels,' symbolizes a deep connection to one's roots and the importance of being authentic and secure in one’s existence. It implies that true wisdom and strength come from being firmly planted in reality, embracing who you are, and allowing your core values to guide your actions and decisions. The imagery of 'breathing with his heels' suggests stability, balance, and a holistic approach to living, highlighting the significance of inner strength and awareness in navigating life.
Themes
WisdomAuthenticitySelf-AwarenessStrengthGrounded
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, this quote encourages listeners to stay true to themselves.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes →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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