Am I a human dreaming I am a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming I am a human?
Once Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly...
Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
He who regards all things as one is a companion of Nature.
The wise man knows that it is better to sit on the banks of a remote mountain stream than to be emperor of the whole world.
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.
The whole world is incapable of judging either right or wrong. but it is certain that actionless action can judge both right and wrong.
We possess our body by chance and we are already pleased with it. If our physical bodies went through ten thousand transformations without end, how incomparable would this joy be! Therefore the sage roams freely in the realm in which nothing can escape, but all endures.
When an archer shoots for enjoyment, he has all his skill; when he shoots for a brass buckle, he gets nervous; when he shoots for a prize of gold, he begins to see two targets.
My opinion is that you never find happiness until you stop looking for it.
Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can talk with him?
Cherish that which is in you and shut out that which is without, for much knowledge is a curse.
For we can only know that we know nothing, and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Look at this window: it is nothing but a hole in the wall, but because of it the whole room is full of light. So when the faculties are empty, the heart is full of light.
To exercise no-thought and rest in nothing is the first step toward resting in Tao. To start from nowhere and follow no road is the first step toward attaining Tao.
If you have insight, you use your inner eye, your inner ear, to pierce to the heart of things, and have no need of intellectual knowledge.
To be truly ignorant, be content with your own knowledge.
Forget the years, forget distinctions. Leap into the boundless and make it your home!
The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror.
Life comes from the earth and life returns to the earth.