Wisdom of Zhuangzi's Quotes -- Great Wisdom Series

Author: Huang Chenchun (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Zhuangzi, whose surname was Zhuang and given name was Zhou, was a native of Meng (now Shangqiu County, Henan Province) in the State of Song. According to Sima Qian's account, Zhuangzi lived concurrently with King Hui of Liang and King Xuan of Qi during the Warring States period, suggesting he was born around 370-280 BC, roughly the same time as Mencius, or perhaps even earlier. He once served as an official managing the lacquer garden in Meng City but soon resigned to live in seclusion, earning a living by making straw sandals. Zhuangzi is an important philosophical work, but its words are also regarded as a profoundly influential literary work. In philosophy, it is one of the "Three Mysteries of the Wei and Jin Periods" (Zhouyi, Laozi, and Zhuangzi), renowned for its metaphysical insights that have stood the test of time. In literature, it was praised by Li Bai as "pioneering extraordinary and boundless words" and lauded by Huang Zhen as the "progenitor of humorous fiction for ten thousand generations." Later scholars, such as Tao Yuanming and Su Dongpo, were all deeply inspired by it. The Chinese have long said, "When in prosperity, follow Confucianism; when in adversity, follow Taoism," meaning that one should broaden their horizons and elevate their spirit through Confucian principles in favorable circumstances, while drawing strength from Taoist wisdom to heal and rejuvenate in difficult times. Generations of philosophers have deeply empathized with the hardships of life, and thus, we hope to share the insights of the ancient sages through the accessible language of The Wisdom of Zhuangzi's Sayings, allowing their wisdom to transcend time and enter our hearts and lives, teaching us through their own experiences. Additionally, we have appended a short note on Western Philosophy after each saying of Zhuangzi, enabling readers to draw inspiration from the witty and profound teachings of both Eastern and Western philosophers.