Single Idea 7277

[catalogued under 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 Reference

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.