Silence, and non action are the root of all things.
ZHUANGZISilence, and non action are the root of all things.
ZHUANGZIGood fortune is as light as a feather, but nobody knows how to pick it up. Misfortune is as heavy as earth, but nobody knows how to stay out of it’s way.
ZHUANGZIBeing is thoughtless-beyond and beneath all categories of thought. Expression is the realization of creative thought. Being is still; expression, moving. But then if I do not strive, who will?
ZHUANGZIBut you now, you wear your soul on your sleeve, exhausting your energy, propping yourself up on a tree, mumbling, or bent over your desk, asleep. Heaven gives you a form and you wear it out by pointless argument.
ZHUANGZIFor all people strive to grasp what they do not know, while none strive to grasp what they already know; and all strive to discredit what they do not excel in, while none strive to discredit what they do excel in. This is why there is chaos.
ZHUANGZIIf one is true to one’s inner self, and follows its wisdom, who is without a teacher?
ZHUANGZIThe sage has the sun and moon by his side and the universe under his arm. He blends everything into a harmonious whole. . . . He blends the disparities of ten thousand years into one complete purity. All things are blended like this and mutually involve each other.
ZHUANGZIRunning around accusing others is not as good as laughing. And enjoying a good laugh is not as good as going along with things.
ZHUANGZIRight is not right; so is not so. If right were really right it would differ so clearly from not right that there would be no need for argument. If so were really so, it would differ so clearly from not so that there would be no need for argument.
ZHUANGZIYou cannot speak of ocean to a well-frog, the creature of a narrower sphere. You cannot speak of ice to a summer insect, the creature of a season.
ZHUANGZIBreathing control gives man strength, vitality, inspiration, and magic powers.
ZHUANGZISound intelligence promises victory in every battle.
ZHUANGZIEasy is right. Begin right and you are easy. Continue easy and you are right. The right way to go easy is to forget the right way, and forget that the going is easy.
ZHUANGZIThe greatest tragedy that can befall a person is the atrophy of his mind.
ZHUANGZIThe men of old breathed clear down to their heels.
ZHUANGZILet everything be allowed to do what it naturally does, so that its nature will be satisfied.
ZHUANGZI