Kevin3777

I love the book of Chuang tzu, and have read a couple translations of it, but I am confused about the chapters with Confucius in it. I don't understand the point Chaung Tzu is getting at. I have been told that chaung tzu is making fun of confucius in these chapters, but i dont understand how. Is he merely showing us examples of what confucius would say in certain situations, so we have something to compare taoism to? Or is he making fun of confucius (if this is the case, I don't understand the jokes)? Please help me with this. I feel like there is a major part of this book that is going way over my head. Thank you.

Ok. Cool. So it sounds like what I'm hearing is that in the Book of Chuang Tzu Confucius is a messenger of the Taoist philosophy. Chuang Tzu isn't using him as a character that teaches Confucianism, but is in fact more similar to the other sages in the book that speak of the tao. My struggle when reading these Confucius passages in the past has been that I would continually second guess or question everything Confucius said; thinking that Chuang Tzu was making the words of Confucius as antonymous to Taoism. If it's accurate to view the Confucius character in the Book of Chuang Tzu as a Taoist than it definitely clears up a lot of confusion, but also brings up more questions. The most basic question is why is Chaung Tzu using the founder of Confucianism, a philosophy considered to be in natural opposition to Taoism, as someone who teaches Taoism? I really appreciate everyone's help here.

Yes, that chapter 4 is what I'm referring to.

Thank you for your replies, but I am still confused. I was hoping people could comment on a specific section, just to help me understand a little better. For example, in the first section of chapter four, what are we supposed to think of Confucius. Should we think he is wise in this passage, or is Yen Hui the wise one, or are they both spitting out nonsense?

Hello everyone, I just joined and I think it's a really good thing for me. I've been very very drawn to taoism for a few years now, but I have never had anyone to really talk about it with. I've spent a lot of time ready taoist books, and I'm really looking forward to discussing my thoughts and confusions with everyone.