Zhuangzi

To be truly human is to be free from the restraints of human-made distinctions.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 2, 'On the Equality of Things'

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When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 10, 'Ripping Open Bags'

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The sage has no form, no body, no self. He is like empty space.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 12, 'Heaven and Earth'

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The greatest skill is to be without skill.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 3, 'The Secret of Caring for Life'

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If you try to make it the same, you will only confuse it more.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 2, 'On the Equality of Things'

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The ultimate happiness is to have no happiness.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 18, 'Perfect Happiness'

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The Way is in the grass, the Way is in the brick, the Way is in the excrement.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 22, 'Knowledge Wandered North'

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The true man of Tao lives as a fish lives in water: he is at home in it, but he does not know it. The true man of Tao lives as a bird lives in the air: he is at home in it, but he does not know it.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 19, 'Mastering Life'

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The wise man knows that the greatest joy is to have no joy.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 18, 'Perfect Happiness'

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The sage is not concerned with what he possesses, but with what he is.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 11, 'Let It Be, Leave It Alone'

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He who knows how to live, lives as if he were dead. He who knows how to die, dies as if he were alive.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 6, 'The Great and Venerable Teacher'

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When the world praises him, he is not elated; when the world condemns him, he is not dejected.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 1, 'Free and Easy Wandering'

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The true man of Tao can walk through fire and not be burned, can walk through water and not be drowned, can walk through empty space and not be hindered.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 6, 'The Great and Venerable Teacher'

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The one who knows he is a fool is not a great fool.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 33, 'The World'

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The mind of the sage is tranquil. It is a mirror of heaven and earth, a looking glass for all creation.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 13, 'The Way of Heaven'

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The sage is not attached to forms, nor is he attached to non-forms. He is like a dragon that can transform itself into any shape.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 12, 'Heaven and Earth'

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When you are born, you are soft and weak; when you die, you are hard and stiff. When plants are alive, they are soft and tender; when they are dead, they are dry and brittle. Therefore, the soft and weak are the companions of life; the hard and stiff are the companions of death.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 22, 'Knowledge Wandered North'

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The greatest knowledge is to know that you know nothing.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 2, 'On the Equality of Things'

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The true man of Tao can enter the water without being wet, and enter the fire without being burned.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 6, 'The Great and Venerable Teacher'

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To forget the world is to be a true wanderer.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi, Chapter 11, 'Let It Be, Leave It Alone'

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Sayings by Zhuangzi