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About this quote

What does it mean?
Chaos contains order and doubt contains certainty; the wise follow that hidden structure.
In plain terms
Even in chaos and doubt there is hidden order and certainty that wise people follow.
What can you take from it?
Seek the underlying patterns in uncertainty.

Where it applies

  • problem solving
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • map complex situations
  • embrace uncertainty

Questions to consider

  • How do you find order in a chaotic situation?
  • When is uncertainty a sign of lack of information?

Another view

Not all chaotic situations reveal clear order; sometimes randomness prevails.

More from Zhuangzi

  1. To stop leaving tracks is easy. Not to walk upon the ground is hard.

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Using a point to show that a point is not a point is not as good as using a nonpoint to show that a point is not a point.

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. Those who value what is on the outside are clumsy on the inside.

    Permalink to quote #24

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