Quotessence
Home / Authors / Zhuangzi
Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi Quotes

Philosopher

Filter quotes by topic

AllMenTaoismTaoKnowsIfsMindHeavenWayAll ThingsDoeLifeSageWorldEarthWisdomDreamHeartJoyClearEnds

Famous Zhuangzi Quotes

“Heaven does nothing: its non-doing is its serenity. Earth does nothing: its non-doing is its rest. From the union of these two non-doings All actions proceed. All things are made. How vast, how invisible This coming-to-be! All things come from nowhere! How vast, how invisible No way to explain it! All beings in their perfection Are born of non-doing. Hence it is said: Heaven and earth do nothing Yet there is nothing they do not do. Where is the man who can attain To this non-doing?”

MenWayDoeMadeSaidTwoWisdomActionEarthSpiritualHeavenBornHe ManAll ThingsPerfectionUnionsInvisibleSerenityHeaven And EarthDoings
Author:Zhuangzi
Create image

“Therefore, the truly great man, although he does not injure others, does not credit himself with charity and mercy (these are natural to him). He does not seek gain, but does not despise his followers who do. He struggles not for wealth, but does not take credit for leaving it alone... The ranks and emoluments of the world are to him no cause for joy, it's punishments and shame no cause for disgrace.”

MenWorldDoeJoyCausesNaturalWealthStruggleGainsMercyShameCharityLeavingCreditPunishmentGreat MenTaoismFollowersDespiseDisgrace
Author:Zhuangzi
Create image

“An archer competing for a clay vessel shoots effortlessly, his or her skill and concentration unimpeded. If the prize is changed to a brass ornament, the hands begin to shake. If it is changed to gold, he or she squints as if going blind. The abilities do not deteriorate, but belief in them does, as he or she allows the supposed value of an external reward to cloud the vision.”

IfsDoeHandsValuesBeliefAbilityVisionChangedPerspectiveSkillsGoldBlindRewardsCloudsShakesConcentrationPrizeCompetingClayVesselOrnamentsBrassArcher
Author:Zhuangzi
Create image

“When I look at what the world does and where people nowadays believe they can find happiness, I am not sure that that is true happiness. The happiness of these ordinary people seems to consist in slavishly imitating the majority, as if this were their only choice. And yet they all believe they are happy. I cannot decide whether that is happiness or not. Is there such a thing as happiness?”

PeopleIfsWorldBelieveLooksDoeSeemsHappinessChoicesOrdinaryMajorityNot SureOrdinary PeopleTrue HappinessFinding HappinessImitating
Author:Zhuangzi
Create image