Virtue dissolves into fame; fame dissolves into excess; schemes arise from a crisis; cleverness from disputes; strife is fueled by obstinate adherence to one’s views. The work of government should be distributed in accordance with the approval of all. In spring, when the rains fall and the sun shines, the grass and trees burst…
All things which have a consciousness depend on their breath. If the breath is not ample, it is not the fault of heaven. Heaven provides breath day and night without ceasing but [humankind] closes up their passages. The womb encloses an empty space; but the mind finds delight in its natural movements. If the…
Huizi said to Zhuangzi, “You speak of what is useless!” Zhuangzi replied, “You have to know what is useless beforeyou can speak about what is useful… Zhuangzi said, “if a man has the capacity to wander freely,can he be stopped? If a man lacks the capacity, then whatcan induce him? There are those who…
When wood is rubbed against woodit begins to burn;when metal is heatedit melts. When yin and yang are out of balance, heaven and earthare perturbed. Then comes the crash of thunder, and from the rain,lightning sets the locust trees on fire. With men, it is still worse. They stand distraughtbetween two pitfalls of gain…
A few of us met last night to talk about consciousness. We ambled about. Taking a turn to speak, the speaker struggled to clarify what it was that he/she intended to say. That’s the upshot when there’s no agreed upon definition of consciousness. There’s a tinge of magic to the term. Consciousness has traditionally…
…”Cocks crow and dogs bark— this is what all men know. But even the men of greatest wisdom do not know how to explain in words how they are formed, nor can they speculate in their minds how they might develop in the future. “When we examine the nature of things, we can arrive…
Yin and yang reflected light on one another, enfolded one another; created order for one another. The four seasons followed one another, gave rise to one another and brought one another to an end. Likes and dislikes, which draw or repel, led to specific distinctness. from this came the separation and union of the…
“Every season has its beginning and end;every age has its changes and transformations.Happiness and despair follow one another continuously.Sometimes our views are underminedbut the result may win our consent. Other times we persist in our erroneous viewsand seek to correct the views of others. This is comparable to a great marsh where all variety…
The four seasons have distinct weather, but as heaven has no partiality the year completes the cycle. The five offices of the government have distinct duties, but as rulers have no partiality the state is governed. Peace and war have distinct characteristics, but as a great man does not oppose one against the other…
Bai Ju was studying under Lao Dan.One day he said, “I would like to receiveyour permission to wander alone in the world.” Lao Dan replied,“Leave off.Everywhere it isjust as it is here.” But Bai Ju asked again and Lao Dan said,“Where would you go first?” “I will begin with Qi.” When he reached the…
