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
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 oneβs 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 βEither in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
ZhuangziRead
When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
ZhuangziRead
The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
ZhuangziRead
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
Similar quotes
I know too well that these arguments from probabilities are imposters, and unless great caution is observed in the use of them, they are apt to be deceptive.
PlatoRead
Knowing who you are is good for one generation only. You haven't the foggiest idea where you stand now or who you are
Flannery O'ConnorRead
Under socialism all will govern in turn and will soon become accustomed to no one governing.
Vladimir LeninRead
Do not fear death, but welcome it, since it too comes from nature. For just as we are young and grow old, and flourish and reach maturity, have teeth and a beard and grey hairs, conceive, become pregnant, and bring forth new life, and all the other natural processes that follow the seasons of our existence, so also do we have death. A thoughtful person will never take death lightly, impatiently, or scornfully, but will wait for it as one of life's natural processes.
Marcus AureliusRead
Perhaps everything lies in knowing what words to speak, what actions to perform, and in what order and rhythm; or else someone's gaze, answer, gesture is enough; it is enough for someone to do something for the sheer pleasure of doing it, and for his pleasure to become the pleasure of others: at that moment, all spaces change, all heights, distances; the city is transfigured, becomes crystalline, transparent as a dragonfly.
Italo CalvinoRead
It is still open for me, as well as you, to regulate my behavior, by my experience of past events.
David HumeRead