Chuang Tzu

If a beast big enough to swallow a wagon
Should leave its mountain forest,
It will not escape the hunter's trap.
If a fish big enough to swallow a boat
Lets itself get stranded by the outgoing tide,
Then even ants will destroy it.
So birds fly high, beasts remain
In trackless solitudes,
Keep out of sight; and fishes
Or turtles go deep down,
Down to the very bottom.
The man who has some respect for his person
Keeps his carcass out of sight,
Hides himself as perfectly as he can.

 (Chuang Tzu) 

Who was Chuang Tzu?

Chuang Tzu was a taoist sage who wrote humorous stories to demonstrate tao and examine human nature.

Different translations

There are many translations of Chuang Tzu.
Some have been translated in a way that makes them very difficult to understand.
Thomas Merton has produced a well-written translation.


Chuang Tzu stories

Adapted by Thomas Merton

1. Apologies

2. Fighting Cock

3. Flight from the Shadow

4. Monkey Mountain

5. The Need to Win

6. The Stink Tree

7. Symphony for a Seabird

Classes • Contact Details • FAQ's • Feedback • Health • Meditation • Neigong • Philosophy • Qigong • Self Defence • Tai Chi • A-Z

Character • Ethical Living • The Floating World • Quotes • Resources • Tao • Teachings

Chuang Tzu • Lao Tzu • Lao Tzu & Sun Tzu • Taoism • Te • Wu Wei • Tao/Zen Quotes •

Apologies • Fighting Cock • Flight • Monkey Mountain • Win • Seabird • The Stink Tree

Page created 19 June 1999