author
Zhuangzi
A playful and deeply original voice in early Chinese thought, this ancient Daoist philosopher is remembered for vivid stories that question certainty, ambition, and rigid ways of seeing the world. The work linked to his name has fascinated readers for centuries with its humor, freedom, and philosophical daring.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Living around the 4th century BCE during China’s Warring States period, Zhuangzi—also known as Zhuang Zhou—is one of the great figures of early Daoist thought. What can be said about his life with confidence is limited: later historian Sima Qian describes him as coming from Meng in the state of Song and serving as a minor official.
He is traditionally associated with the Zhuangzi, a foundational Daoist text famous for parables, fables, and sharp philosophical reflection. The book explores themes like spontaneity, the limits of ordinary knowledge, and the possibility of living freely in a changing world.
Even with the uncertainties around his biography, his influence has been enormous. The Zhuangzi shaped Daoism and also left a lasting mark on Chinese literature, religion, and philosophy through its wit, imagination, and refusal to accept easy answers.