Monday, November 14, 2022

QUOTATION MARKS - Zhuang Tzu










'We give, we receive, we act, we construct;
all day long we apply our minds 
to struggle against one thing or another
struggles unadorned or struggles concealed,
but in either case tightly packed 
one after another without gap.

The small fears 
leave us nervous and depleted;
the large fears
leave us stunned and blank.

Shooting forth 
like an arrow from a bowstring
such is our presumption
when we arbitrate right and wrong.

Worn away
by autumn and winter;
such is our daily dwindling,
drowning us in our own activities,
unable to turn back'


Written by Zhuang Tzu
Translated by Brook Ziporyn. 


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