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
Heaven cannot but be high. Earth cannot but be broad. The sun and moon cannot but revolve. All creation cannot but flourish. To do so is their TAO. But it is not from extensive study that this may be known, nor by dialectical skill that his may be made clear. The true sage will have none of these.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the natural order and essence of things, suggesting that true understanding comes from a simple, intuitive grasp rather than extensive study.
In this quote, Zhuangzi reflects on the fundamental nature of existence, indicating that certain truths about the world, such as the heights of heaven or the breadth of earth, are intrinsic and self-evident. He contrasts this natural understanding with the notion that knowledge can be attained through complex study or debate, suggesting that true wisdom lies in attuning oneself to the Tao, the fundamental principle that governs all creation. The sage, according to Zhuangzi, transcends the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and embraces a more profound, experiential understanding of the universe and its rhythms.
Themes
TaoNatureWisdomUnderstandingCreation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about philosophy, you might quote this to illustrate the importance of innate understanding over academic knowledge.
More from Zhuangzi
All quotes →Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
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When people do not ignore what they should ignore, but ignore what they should not ignore, this is known as ignorance.
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The true man of the past waited upon Heaven when dealing with people and did not wait upon people when dealing with Heaven.
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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
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All the fish needs is to get lost in the water. All man needs is to get lost in Tao.
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