Zhuangzi

Daoist philosopher

Ancient influential 92 sayings

Sayings by Zhuangzi

If you are content with what you have, you will always have enough.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 28, Yielding to Emperors)
Humorous Unverifiable

The true man of Tao lives in the world, but is not of the world.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 6, The Great and Most Honored Teacher)
Humorous Unverifiable

To be able to think and then forget that you are thinking, that is wisdom.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 2, Discussion on Making All Things Equal)
Humorous Unverifiable

Those who seek to please others are always slaves.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 29, Robber Zhi)
Humorous Unverifiable

He who knows what he does not know is better than he who thinks he knows what he does not know.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 2, Discussion on Making All Things Equal)
Humorous Unverifiable

The sage holds to the original, and the original holds to nothing.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 2, Discussion on Making All Things Equal)
Humorous Unverifiable

If you want to be happy, be.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (not a direct quote, but a common interpretation of his philosophy)
Humorous Unverifiable

The perfect man uses his mind like a mirror – going after nothing, welcoming nothing, responding but not storing.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 7, The Responses of Emperors and Kings)
Humorous Unverifiable

Life is a journey, not a destination.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (a common modern interpretation of his philosophy, not a direct quote)
Humorous Unverifiable

The sage is like a shadow that has no substance, or an echo that has no sound.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 2, Discussion on Making All Things Equal)
Humorous Unverifiable

When you are walking, walk. When you are eating, eat. Don't wobble.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (implied advice from various passages on presence and focus)
Humorous Unverifiable

There is no greater sorrow than to have an eye for beauty, and no greater happiness than to be blind.

c. 4th century BCE — Zhuangzi (Book 23, Gengsang Chu)
Humorous Unverifiable