Below is the original Chinese text from Zhuangzi’s “turtle parable” (often cited as part of the Autumn Floods chapter), along with a translation and analysis of its philosophical significance. This story encapsulates Zhuangzi’s rejection of societal constraints in favor of natural freedom.
Original Chinese Text & Translation
From 《庄子·秋水》(Zhuangzi·Qiū Shuǐ, “Autumn Floods”):
Original Chinese:
莊子釣於濮水，楚王使大夫二人往先焉，曰：「願以境內累矣！」
莊子持竿不顧，曰：「吾聞楚有神龜，死已三千歲矣，王巾笥而藏之廟堂之上。此龜者，寧其死為留骨而貴乎？寧其生而曳尾於塗中乎？」
二大夫曰：「寧生而曳尾塗中。」
莊子曰：「往矣！吾將曳尾於塗中。」
Translation:
Zhuangzi was fishing in the Pu River when two ministers from the King of Chu approached him. They said, “Our king wishes to entrust you with the governance of his realm!”
Zhuangzi kept fishing without turning his head. “I’ve heard,” he replied, “that in Chu there is a sacred turtle, dead for three thousand years. The king keeps its shell wrapped in silk and stored in a shrine. Now, would this turtle prefer to be venerated as a relic or to drag its tail alive in the mud?”
The ministers answered, “It would prefer to drag its tail in the mud.”
Zhuangzi said, “Then go away! I, too, will drag my tail in the mud.”
Key Themes in the Parable
- Freedom vs. Constraint:
- The sacred turtle symbolizes the choice between artificial honor (dead but revered) and natural freedom (alive but humble). Zhuangzi rejects political power to preserve his autonomy.
- Parallels his critique of Confucian “virtue” as a trap that stifles spontaneity.
- Relativity of Value:
- Societal notions of prestige (e.g., political office) are meaningless compared to the intrinsic worth of living authentically.
- Echoes his earlier idea: “All men know the use of the useful, but nobody knows the use of the useless!”
- Wu Wei (無為):
- By choosing the mud, Zhuangzi embodies wu wei—non-action aligned with the Tao. His “inaction” is a deliberate rejection of forced societal roles.
Philosophical Impact
This parable became a cornerstone of Daoist thought, illustrating:
- Anti-Authoritarianism: Rejecting rigid hierarchies and political power as antithetical to natural harmony.
- Mindfulness of Nature: True fulfillment lies in simplicity and alignment with the Tao, not human constructs.
- Enduring Legacy: The story inspired later Chinese literati (e.g., Tao Yuanming) to retreat from public life in favor of rural solitude.
Other Notable Passages on Freedom
From 《庄子·逍遥游》(Free and Easy Wandering):
Original Chinese:
至人无己，神人无功，圣人无名。
Translation:
“The perfected person has no self; the spiritual person has no merit; the sage has no fame.”
Meaning:
True liberation comes from shedding ego, ambition, and societal labels—ideas mirrored in the turtle’s choice.
Conclusion
Zhuangzi’s turtle parable remains a timeless critique of materialism and a celebration of inner freedom. As he wrote: “Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness”—a call to embrace life’s natural flow rather than chasing hollow rewards. 🌊