Chinese Quote by Carl Jung
“Our western mind lacking all culture in this respect, has never yet devised a concept, not even a name for "the union of opposites through the middle path", that most fundamental item of inward experience which could respectably be set against the Chinese concept of Tao.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Psychological Types by Carl Jung, 1921
Western thought struggles to name the balanced middle way that Eastern Tao represents, highlighting a gap in conceptualizing unity of opposites.
In simple terms: Western mind lacks a term for the balanced middle path.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and explore the middle path in personal growth.
Themes
psychology
philosophy
culture
balance
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- cross‑cultural study
- meditation
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
dualism
integration
Taoist thought
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create language for the middle path?
- What practices help experience this balance?
A Different Perspective
Western frameworks may oversimplify or ignore nuanced middle‑ground concepts.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
