Chuang Tzu
Zhuangzi
c. 369-286 BCE • Chinese
Taoism
Ancient Chinese philosopher, second only to Lao Tzu in the Taoist tradition. His writings are filled with paradox and humor.
Key Works
- Zhuangzi
108
quotes in library
Quotes by Chuang Tzu
108 quotes“Things give it form. Circumstance brings it to fruition.”
wayZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“Therefore the ten thousand things all revere the Way and honor virtue.”
reverenceZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“They revere the Way and honor virtue not because anyone has commanded them.”
naturalnessZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“But because they do so of themselves.”
naturalnessZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“He who knows that he does not know is the wisest.”
unknowingZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“He who pretends to know is sick.”
humilityZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“It is by recognizing his sickness as sickness that the sage avoids being sick.”
awarenessZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“The empty room is filled with light.”
emptinessZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“Good fortune dwells where there is space.”
spaceZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“Stop the senses, close the mind, and grow old without dying.”
interiorityZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“Open the senses, multiply concerns — and we are doomed before we are halfway done.”
focusZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To see the small is to have insight.”
perceptionZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To yield is to be preserved.”
yieldingZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To bend is to be straight.”
paradoxZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To be empty is to be full.”
paradoxZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To be worn out is to be renewed.”
renewalZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To have less is to gain.”
paradoxZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“To have much is to be confused.”
simplicityZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
“Therefore the sage embraces the One, and is a model for the world.”
unityZhuangzi (Giles 1889)
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