Zhuangzi Chapter 15 Outer Chapter. The Effort of Will 刻意

This is from Chapter 15 of the Zhuangzi, a classic Daoist text. It explores different approaches to life, contrasting those who strive for worldly achievements with the ideal of a sage who achieves harmony with the Dao through effortless simplicity and naturalness. The chapter emphasizes the importance of inner tranquility, aligning with the natural order, and letting go of desires and attachments to cultivate virtue and longevity. Ultimately, it advocates for a life lived in accordance with the spontaneous and unconstrained Way of Heaven and Earth.