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Single Idea 7277

[filed under theme 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 4. Denial of the Self ]

Full Idea

As the saying goes, 'The perfect man has no self'

Gist of Idea

The perfect man has no self

Source

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) (The Book of Chuang Tzu [c.329 BCE], Ch.1)

Book Ref

Chuang Tzu: 'The Book of Chuang Tzu', ed/tr. Palmer,M /Breuilly,E [Penguin 1996], p.3

A Reaction

This seems to be quoted with approval. This is interesting because it implies that lesser beings do have a self, and that having a self is a moral issue, and one which can be controlled. One could, I suppose, concentrate on externals.

The 15 ideas from Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)

23403 You know you were dreaming when you wake, but there might then be a greater awakening from that [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
23404 Words are for meaning, and once you have that you can forget the words [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7277 The perfect man has no self [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7285 Did Chuang Tzu dream he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dream he was Chuang Tzu? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7278 Words of wisdom are precise and clear [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7281 Don't even start, let's just stay put [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7282 Disagreement means you do not understand at all [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7284 If you beat me in argument, does that mean you are right? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7280 As all life is one, what need is there for words? [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7279 If words can't be defined, they may just be the chirruping of chicks [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7283 Great courage is not violent [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7288 Go with the flow, and be one with the void of Heaven [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7287 Fish forget about each other in the pond and forget each other in the Tao [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7286 To see with true clarity, your self must be irrelevant [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
7289 Do not try to do things, or to master knowledge; just be empty [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]