Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. Great speech is impassioned, small speech cantankerous.
—Chuang Tzu
Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither.… Suddenly I awakened, and there I lay, myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming that I am a man.
—Chuang Tzu
He who pursues fame at the risk of losing his self is not a scholar.
—Chuang Tzu
This is what the world honors: wealth, eminence, long life, a good name. This is what the world finds happiness in: a life of ease, rich food, fine clothes, beautiful sights, sweet sounds. People who can't get these things fret a great deal and are afraid, wear themselves out rushing around on business, spend night and day scheming and scrutinizing. Man lives his life in company with worry, and if he lives a long time, then he has spent that much time worrying. This is a callous way to treat the body.
—Chuang Tzu
Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? I would like to have a word with him.
—Chuang Tzu