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Zhuangzi’s Wisdom to End Conflict and Inner Anxiety
This commentary on Zhuangzi’s Qi Wu Lun explores ending conflict and inner anxiety. It expounds relative judgments, the unity of all things, and iconic fables such as the butterfly dream, advocating transcendence over biased human distinctions.
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大言不惭 (Dà yán bù cán)
This entry explains Chinese idiom “Da yan bu can”. Derived from Analects and shaped by Zhu Xi’s annotation, it criticizes shameless empty boasting, warning grand claims seldom get backed by real deeds.
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沉鱼落雁 (Chén yú luò yàn)
This entry explains Chinese idiom “Chen yu luo yan”. Originally a Zhuangzi illustration of beauty’s subjectivity, it later evolved into a lavish compliment for women’s great beauty, often paired with “Bi yue xiu hua”.
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朝三暮四 (Zhāo sān mù sì)
This classic idiom from Zhuangzi tells a story about a monkey keeper swapping the order of chestnuts. The total amount remained the same, yet the monkeys’ reaction changed dramatically. Today it describes fickle people who keep changing their decisions, warning us to watch out for empty tricks and inconsistent promises.
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Chapter 2. Discussion of the Equality of Things (Qiwu Lun)
This original‑text excerpt from Zhuangzi’s Qiwu Lun introduces “losing‑self” and three kinds of music. Via fables like the butterfly dream, it argues all distinctions of right‑wrong are relative and all things unite in the Dao.
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Zhuangzi’s Ultimate Philosophy of True Freedom
This commentary on Zhuangzi‑Xiaoyaoyou explores true spiritual freedom. Analyzing Kun‑Peng and key fables, it discusses relativity of perspectives, “no‑dependence”, and the wisdom that uselessness can be great use.