《庄子注》Vol. 2
About this page. The original text of 《庄子注》 Vol. 2 (Zangwai Daoshu 藏外道書, 5 volumes) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Godners/DaoZang edition. An English interpretation of the 1 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English
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Source text (with commentary)Interpretation
Through dialogues among Yan Hui, Confucius, and others, the text repeatedly explains that when facing rulers, worldly affairs, and life and death, acting with a powerful purpose already in mind often leaves one constrained by one’s own desires and preconceptions. By remaining inwardly empty and still, and responding to things as they are, one is less likely to be harmed by external circumstances.
Yan Hui wants to advise the ruler of Wei. Confucius points out that tyrants often use their power to suppress remonstrance, and may also turn against advisers by exploiting their cultivation and reputation. Yan Hui proposes maintaining a proper attitude and being modest and focused, or keeping his heart upright while appearing humble and compliant; he also plans to guide the ruler with the words of the ancients. Confucius argues that these approaches still rely on Yan Hui’s own methods to change the other person, and may not truly transform him. Confucius then introduces “fasting of the mind”: do not rely on the ears alone to listen, and do not let the mind impose judgments in advance. Instead, make the mind empty and still, able to receive things like Qi. When the mind is empty and still, the Dao has a place to gather.
“Fasting of the mind” does not mean abstaining from food and drink for a ritual. It means letting go of preconceptions and attachments, so that one is not quick to answer or control others. This is not deliberate silence, but acting in accordance with the actual situation: speak if the other person is receptive, and stop if they are not; do not force an outcome. Confucius also uses the phrase “an empty room gives birth to brightness” to show that when the mind is quiet and clear, good fortune finds a home there. If the spirit keeps chasing external things, then even when the body sits still, the mind is as if running about.
Ye Gong Ziqao is ordered to serve as an envoy to Qi. He worries that he will be punished if the mission fails, but that success will bring a mix of relief and joy that harms him in body and mind. Confucius says that the bond between parent and child, and the duty of a subject to serve a ruler, each involve responsibilities that cannot easily be cast aside. Since he is already bound up in them, he should focus on the task itself, accept what cannot be changed, and not let joy, anger, worry, or fear injure his inner life excessively. He should also take care when conveying messages: when passing news over a long distance, he should report the other person’s usual, genuine attitude rather than exaggerating words spoken in a moment of anger or delight. A task may seem simple at first, but if one competes for advantage, boasts, or uses clever words to hurry things along, it can gradually turn into a dispute. So one should neither alter orders on one’s own nor pressure others to complete the task quickly.
Yan He is to teach the crown prince of Wei, Duke Ling’s heir, and worries that the prince is violent by nature. Qu Boyu advises him to begin by putting himself in order: let his outward conduct accommodate the other person, but do not let the other person sway his inner self. Accommodating someone does not mean following blindly, and one should not display a self-satisfied sense of one’s own virtue and ability. When advising others, showing off one’s intelligence or trying to correct them by force can easily provoke resistance. The story of the tiger keeper likewise shows that understanding another’s nature and acting at the right moment can prevent good intentions from causing harm.
The stories of the community shrine tree and the great tree further explain “the use of what seems useless.” Trees are cut down when their timber is useful, while a tree whose shape makes it unsuitable for use can live out its natural lifespan. Although Zhi Lishu is physically disabled, he avoids forced labor and supports himself through his work. Through these stories, Zhuangzi shows that the value of things does not depend only on whether they can be put to use by the world. Sometimes, not vying to stand out and not pursuing usefulness too intensely can help one preserve oneself. A sage need not intervene personally in everything: by letting people of different abilities act according to their strengths and keeping himself inwardly empty and still, he can allow everyone to find their proper place.
The stories of Wang Tai, Shentu Jia, Shushan Wuzhi, and Ai Taituo emphasize that people should not be judged solely by appearance, status, or reputation. Although Wang Tai has lost a foot as punishment, many people still follow him because his inner De inspires trust. Shentu Jia reminds Zichan that since they study under the same teacher, Zichan should not look down on him because of his position as a statesman. Ai Taituo is physically ugly, yet people are drawn to him because he does not try to please them with power, intelligence, or appearance, and can live among them with ease. “Wholeness of ability” means that, amid changes in life and death, poverty and wealth, praise and blame, one does not let these experiences disturb the mind, which remains harmonious.
The text goes on to explain that a True Person does not deliberately seek life or detest death. Whatever comes, they accept it calmly, without allowing personal likes and dislikes to damage the natural course of life. “The human and the heavenly” refers to the relationship between what is natural and what is made by human effort. When people understand the limits of their own actions, they do not force themselves to control everything, but instead act in accordance with how things are. Life and death are like the alternation of day and night, and the body is constantly changing. Those who can respond to change need not cling to any one form.
When a spring dries up, the fish breathe moisture and spray on each other, trapped in great hardship. Better than remaining caught in such mutual dependence is for each to live freely in rivers and lakes. The text uses this image to say that instead of clinging to praising Yao and condemning Jie, people should forget their opposition to one another and live in accord with the transformations of the Great Dao. All things in Heaven and Earth are continually renewed; neither form nor life has a fixed, unchanging state. For this reason, the sage responds to change and does not treat temporary gains or losses as something to rely on forever.
The text concludes by describing the Dao as the source of the transformations of all things. The Dao has no fixed form, yet runs through Heaven, Earth, and all things. Each thing comes into being and changes in its own way, and people cannot claim full credit for this process of generation. The key to cultivating the Dao is not to impose one’s personal will on everything, but to keep the mind from being led by likes and dislikes and to meet change with ease.
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