The duck's legs are short, but if we try to lengthen them, the duck will suffer. The crane's legs are long, but if we try to shorten them, the crane will suffer. So we must not amputate what is long, nor lengthen what is short. What is natural is not to be tampered with.
— Zhuangzi Ancient

Daoist philosopher

Share:

Details

Context

Zhuangzi, Chapter 8, 'Webbed Toes'

Date / Period

c. 4th century BCE

Category

Strange & Unusual

Source

https://terebess.hu/english/Zhuangzi-BurtonWatson.pdf

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: grok

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

More from Zhuangzi

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

Strange & Unusual

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

Humorous

"Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it."

Strange & Unusual

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

Strange & Unusual

"When the world is in chaos, the sage is in peace."

Strange & Unusual
View all sayings from Zhuangzi