This Zhuangzi ‑ Zhile (Perfect Happiness) chapter argues true happiness lies in wu‑wei. Featuring famous tales like Zhuangzi singing over his wife’s death and the seabird parable, it teaches accepting natural life‑death transformation.
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.
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 愚公移山Pinyin: yú gōng yí shānLiteral Meaning: The Foolish Old Man removes mountains.Figurative Meaning: To overcome immense difficulties with unyielding perseverance, diligence and firm belief that human efforts can triumph over natural obstacles. Cultural Background This famous fable is a classic in traditional Chinese culture. It advocates persistence, dedication and the…
Han Feizi stresses following nature over forced effort. Artificial skill wastes energy; align with natural laws for true success.
Lie Yukou was a representative figure of Daoism in the early Warring States period. He is also known as Yu Kou, Yu Kou, or Liezi. Traditionally believed to be from the state of Zheng (in present-day Zhengzhou, Henan) during the Warring States era, he advocated the principles of emptiness, stillness, and non-action (wu wei),…
– by Lie Yukou (Liezi) Mount Taihang and Mount Wangwu spanned seven hundred li in area and rose ten thousand ‘ren’ high. Originally, they stood south of Jizhou and north of Heyang. To the north of these mountains lived an old man known as “Foolish Old Man of the North Mountain.” He was nearly…