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Zhuangzi

Zhuangzi Quotes

Philosopher

Zhuangzi, also known as Zhou, was a renowned philosopher during the Warring States period in China. As an important representative of the Taoist school, his philosophy emphasized the harmony with nature and the principle of 'wu wei' (non-action), which had a profound impact on later philosophy and culture.

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Famous Zhuangzi Quotes

“How do I know that loving life is not a delusion? How do I know that in hating death I am not like a man who, having left home in his youth, has forgotten the way back?...someday there will be a great awakening when we know that this is all a great dream. Yet the stupid believe that they are awake, busily and brightly assuming they understand things, calling this man ruler, and that man a herdsman- how dense!”

Knows Men Way Believe Home Dream Life Is Hate Left Stupid Youth Calling Assuming Forgotten Insight Awakening Awake Someday Delusion Rulers Loving Life Dense

Author:Zhuangzi

“Are you and I perchance caught up in a dream from which we have not yet awakened?”

Dream Caught Insight Caught Up Awakened

Author:Zhuangzi

“My most interesting memory is of my first real dream. I was a caterpillar, wriggling around in the earth, just the way a caterpillar would. Following my caterpillar whims, completely unaware of anyone.”

Way Firsts Real Dream Earth Memories Interesting Following Most Interesting Whim Caterpillars

Author:Zhuangzi

“When you're dreaming, you don't know it's a dream. You might even interpret a dream in your dream - and then wake up and realize it was all a dream. Perhaps a great awakening will reveal this to be a dream as well.”

Knows Wells Dream Might Realizing Wake Up Awakening Your Dreams

Author:Zhuangzi

“Am I a human dreaming I am a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming I am a human?”

Humans Dream Butterfly

Author:Zhuangzi

“I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.”

Knows Men Inspirational Wisdom Dream Culture Awareness Taoism Butterfly Stubborn Caterpillars Fluttering Reward And Punishment Monarch Butterfly Dreaming And Doing Man Of My Dreams Butterfly Wings

Author:Zhuangzi

“Once I dreamed I was a butterfly, and now I no longer know whether I am Chuang Tzu, who dreamed I was a butterfly, or whether I am a butterfly dreaming that I am Chuang Tzu.”

Knows Love Dream Butterfly

Author:Zhuangzi

“Once Chuang Chou dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know he was Chuang Chou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakeable Chuang Chou. But he didn't know if he was Chuang Chou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Chou.”

Ifs Knows Philosophy Dream Butterfly Fluttering

Book:The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

Source: The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

“Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”

Knows Men Dream Purpose Conscious Taoism Butterfly Once Upon A Time Fluttering

Author:Zhuangzi

“During our dreams we do not know we are dreaming. We may even dream of interpreting a dream. Only on waking do we know it was a dream. Only after the great awakening will we realize that this is the great dream.”

Knows Inspirational May Dream Realizing Awakening Waking Our Dreams Interpreting

Author:Zhuangzi

“Yet the stupid believe they are awake, busily and brightly assuming they understand things, calling this man ruler, that one herdsman – how dense! Confucius and you are both dreaming! And when I say you are dreaming, I am dreaming, too. Words like these will be labeled the Supreme Swindle.”

Men Believe Dream Stupid Calling Assuming Supreme Awake Rulers Dense

Author:Zhuangzi

“He who dreams ... does not know he is dreaming... . Only when he awakens does he know he has dreamt. But there is also the great awakening (ta-chiao), and then we see that [everything] here is nothing but a great dream. Of course, the fools believe that they are already awake-what foolishness! Confucius and you, both of you, are dreams; and I, who tell you this, am also a dream.”

Knows Believe Doe Dream Courses Fool Awakening Awake Foolishness

Author:Zhuangzi

About the Author

Born: 369 BC
Died: 286 BC
Known for: Philosopher
Quotes: 272

Related Topics

Men Taoism Tao Knows Ifs Mind Heaven Way All Things Doe Life Sage World Earth Wisdom Dream Heart Joy Clear Ends

Popular Topics

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Books & Sources

The Complete Works of Chuang TzuRelated source material

Chuang tsu: Inner chaptersRelated source material

Teachings and Sayings of Chuang TzuRelated source material

The Book of Chuang TzuRelated source material

Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings: With Selections from Traditional CommentariesRelated source material

Art-as-art: The Selected Writings of Ad ReinhardtRelated source material

Chuan Tsu: Inner ChaptersRelated source material

Chuang Tzu: The Inner ChaptersRelated source material

Chuang-Tzu: The Inner ChaptersRelated source material

Musings of a Chinese Mystic: Selections from the Philosophy of Chuang TzŭRelated source material

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