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About this quote

What does it mean?
True contentment arrives when you stop actively chasing happiness as a goal.
In plain terms
You are happiest when you stop trying to be happy.
What can you take from it?
Stop striving for happiness to actually experience it.

Where it applies

  • pursuing goals
  • feeling dissatisfied
  • seeking joy

Putting it to work

  • letting go of goals
  • focusing on present
  • stopping the chase

Questions to consider

  • Are you chasing happiness too hard?
  • What happens when you stop striving?

Another view

It suggests passivity might be better than ambition for well-being.

More from Zhuangzi

  1. Great wisdom is generous; petty wisdom is contentious. Great speech is impassioned, small speech cantankerous.

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  2. He who pursues fame at the risk of losing his self is not a sage.

    Permalink to quote #13
  3. Great truths do not take hold of the hearts of the masses. And now, as all the world is in error, how shall I, though I know the true path, how shall I guide? …

    Permalink to quote #10

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