The Way of Chuang Tzu

by Thomas Merton

he had the complete qualities of hearing—which means study, contemplating, thinking on the teachings—and of meditation.

while there is a certain skeptical and down-to-earth quality in Chuang Tzu’s critique of Confucianism, Chuang’s philosophy is essentially religious and mystical. It belongs in the context of a society in which every aspect of life was seen in relation to the sacred.

for a respect that is centered only on one’s individual self to the exclusion of others proves itself to be fraudulent.

My body is chaos But my mind is in order.”

Every canton, county, and district Was run according to the laws and statutes— Until one morning the Attorney General, Tien Khang Tzu, Did away with the King and took over the whole state. Was he content to steal the land? No, He also took over the laws and statutes at the same time, And all the lawyers with them, not to mention the police. They all formed part of the same package.

But when the creek dries up Nothing grows in the valley. When the mound is levelled The hollow next to it is filled. And when the statesmen and lawyers And preachers of duty disappear There are no more robberies either And the world is at peace.

The greatest crimes are eventually shown To have been necessary, and, in fact, A signal benefit To mankind.

I know about letting the world alone, not interfering. I do not know about running things. Letting things alone: so that men will not blow their nature out of shape! Not interfering, so that men will not be changed into something they are not! When men do not get twisted and maimed beyond recognition, when they are allowed to live—the purpose of government is achieved.

The wise man, then, when he must govern, knows how to do nothing.