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
Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life is a journey that often feels chaotic and out of control, regardless of our relationships with others.
This quote by Zhuangzi reflects the unpredictable nature of life and how individuals can find themselves caught in a whirlwind of events, whether in conflict or harmony with others. The metaphor of a 'runaway horse' suggests that, like the horse, we may be unable to fully control our path or our responses to the world around us, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness amidst life's chaos.
Themes
LifeChaosControlHarmonyConflict
In practice
Example use cases
This would be a great quote to share during a philosophy class discussion on the nature of human existence.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes βWhen 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
Where is that man who has forgotten words that I may have a word with him?
ZhuangziRead
Similar quotes
It's far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.
HippocratesRead
No theory changes what it is a theory about; man remains what he has always been.
B. F. SkinnerRead
In our daily life, we encounter people who are angry, deceitful, intent only on satisfying their own needs. There is so much anger, distrust, greed, and pettiness that we are losing our capacity to work well together.
Margaret J. WheatleyRead
Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.
Bertrand RussellRead
Men are admitted into heaven not because they have curbed and governed their passions or have no passions, but because they have cultivated their understandings. The treasures of heaven are not negations of passion, but realities of intellect, from which all the passions emanate uncurbed in their eternal glory.
William BlakeRead
Only in the heart can one experience the divine presence of truth.
KabirRead