“Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words.”

Variant: "Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to."
Context: A trap is for fish: when you've got the fish, you can forget the trap. A snare is for rabbits: when you've got the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find someone who's forgotten words so I can have a word with him?...

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Nov. 3, 2024. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words." by Zhuangzi?

Zhuangzi38

classic Chinese philosopher -369–-286 BC

Related quotes

“Or in other words, it's the substance you've got when you start that determines the outcome.”

Jodi Picoult book Handle With Care

Source: Handle with Care

“Major Sánchez grunted. “Nice word, ‘trivial.’ Means you got it—cojones—you got no worry. If you don’t—””

Gregory Benford (1941) Science fiction author and astrophysicist

Part 1 “Beyond Sidon”, Chapter 2 (p. 12)
Against Infinity (1983)

“I don't really know what "intellectual" means, but if it means you've got a desire to learn, you've got a desire to look for things that haven't been presented to you, then, maybe. I think that "intellectual" is quite an exclusive word. I think it's just for anyone that has a thirst or a hunger to improve themselves, or a yearning to escape from somewhere to get to a better place.”

Pete Doherty (1979) English musician, writer, actor, poet and artist

When asked whether he considered himself (and Carl) to be "intellectual", 2002
Definitions and objects

“The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.”

Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) American author

"How To Build A Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later" (1978)

“Your questions refer to words; so I have to talk about words.
You say: The point isn't the word, but its meaning, and you think of the meaning as a thing of the same kind as the word, though also different from the word. Here the word, there the meaning.”

Ludwig Wittgenstein book Philosophical Investigations

§ 120
Philosophical Investigations (1953)

“"Don't worry. I can teach you every word that you need to know right now. One of them is fiesta.
"What does that mean?"
"It means 'party' Another important word is juerga.
"What does that word mean? […] Magnus, does that word also mean 'party?'"
"I would apologize, except that I feel no regret at all."”

Cassandra Clare The Bane Chronicles

Magnus Bane and Ragnor Fell in 1791, p. 9.
The Bane Chronicles, What Really Happened in Peru (2013)

“Only by awakening can you know the true meaning of that word.”

Eckhart Tolle book A New Earth

A New Earth (2005)

“The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.”

Terry Pratchett book Lords and Ladies

Source: Lords and Ladies

“Please don't say mañana if you don't mean it
I have heard those words for so very long.
Don't try to describe the ocean if you've never seen it.
Don't ever forget that you just may wind up being wrong.”

Jimmy Buffett (1946) American singer–songwriter and businessman

Mañana
Song lyrics, Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)

“The word of God is God, and therefore has to be revealed to you by God. When God’s Holy Spirit reveals to you the meaning of His word, then you will recognize the truth of His word.”

Bethany Kennedy Scanlon (1975)

Born of the Spirit (2009)

Related topics