To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment. Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stop understanding at what cannot be understood. Those who try to force understanding will be destroyed.
- In plain terms
- Stop trying to understand the ununderstandable.
- What can you take from it?
- Accept the limits of understanding.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where do you force understanding?
- What do you accept?
Another view
Pushing limits can also lead to breakthroughs.
More from Zhuangzi
We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.
Permalink to quote #28 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 There is order in chaos, and certainty in doubt. The wise are guided by this order and certainty.
Permalink to quote #26
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