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Zhuangzi Quotes

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Famous Zhuangzi Quotes

“If a man is crossing the river and an empty boat collides with his skiff, even though he is a bad tempered man he will not become very angry. But if he sees a man in the other boat he will scream and shout and curse at the man to steer clear. If you can empty your own boat crossing the river of the world, no one will oppose you, no one will seek to harm you. Thus is the perfect man - his boat is empty.”

IfsMenWorldPerfectClearHe ManRiversEmptyAngryHarmBoatCurseScreamCrossingsSteersPerfect ManCollideBad Temper
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“If the Tao could be served up, everyone would serve it up to their lords. If the Tao could be offered, there is no one who would not offer it to their parents. If the Tao could be spoken of, there is no one in the world who would not speak of it to their brothers and sisters. if the Tao could be passed on, there is no one who would not pass it on to their heirs. However, it obviously cannot be so and the reason is as follows. If there is no true centre within to receive it, it cannot remain;if there is no true direction outside to guide it,it cannot be received.”

IfsWorldReasonSpeakParentLordBrotherOffersGuidesCentreBrothers And SistersTaoHeirs
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“Paraphrased: When Chuang Tzu was about to die, his disciples began planning a splendid funeral. However some disciples expressed concern that given a particular arrangement, birds and kites would eat his remains. Chuang Tzu replied, "Well, above ground I shall be eaten by crows and kites, below it by ants and worms. What do you have against birds?”

WellsDiesGivenParticularBirdConcernRemainsPlanningFuneralDiscipleArrangementsWormsSplendidAntsCrowKitesParaphrased
Author:Zhuangzi
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