You can't see yourself in running water. Only in still water.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 5 (The Seal of Virtue Complete)
You can't see yourself in running water. Only in still water.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 5 (The Seal of Virtue Complete)
The source
"You can't see yourself in running water. Only in still water." Zhuangzi said it in Zhuangzi 5 (The Seal of Virtue Complete). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
"人莫鑑於流水，而鑑於止水。"Original Chinese, Zhuangzi 5 (The Seal of Virtue Complete). Chinese: Zhuangzi text via zh.wikisource; chapter title after Legge 1891.
Who said it
Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BC). Taoist storyteller of the butterfly dream, the useless tree and the cook who never dulled his knife.
Questions
- Who said "You can't see yourself in running water. Only in still water."?
- Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BC). Source: Zhuangzi 5 (The Seal of Virtue Complete).
- What is the original Chinese?
- 人莫鑑於流水，而鑑於止水。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
Filed under Water.
Wear Zhuangzi
Down with the whirl, up with the surge. Follow the water's way.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 19 (The Full Understanding of Life)
from$46
An empty boat hits yours and you don't get mad. Be the empty boat.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 20 (The Tree on the Mountain)
from$46
Don't talk ocean with a frog in a well.
Zhuangzi, Zhuangzi 17 (The Floods of Autumn)
from$46
Be the headland. Let the waves break.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.49
from$46
More from Zhuangzi
- If the water isn't deep, it can't carry a big boat.Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- A whole forest to nest in. The wren needs one branch.Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- No axe comes for what has no use. What could trouble it?Zhuangzi 1 (Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease)
- Am I Zhuang dreaming a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming Zhuang?Zhuangzi 2 (The Adjustment of Controversies)
- Life has a limit. Knowledge has none.Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life)
- Nineteen years, thousands of oxen, and the blade still looks new.Zhuangzi 3 (Nourishing the Lord of Life)