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The raison d'être of a fish-trap is the fish. When the fish is caught, the trap may be ignored. The raison d'être of a rabbit-snare is the rabbit. When the rabbit is caught the snare may be ignored. The raison d'être of language is an idea to be expressed. When the idea is expressed, the language may be ignored. But where shall I find a man to ignore language, with whom I may be able to converse?
Source Chuang Tzu, chapter 26, §9 · 📖 Read the full passage
✨ To meditate on today
According to Chuang Tzu, words are like the fish-trap for the fish or the snare for the hare: they serve to convey an idea, and once the idea has been received, they matter little. Today, in a conversation, listen to what the other person means rather than to the exact words they use.
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