Bad temper Quote by Chuang-Tzu
““If a man crosses a river and an empty boat collides with his own skiff, Even though he be bad tempered man He will not become very angry. But if he sees a man in the boat, He will shout at him to steer clear. If the shout is not heard, he will shout again, and yet again, and begin cursing. And all because someone is in the boat. Yet if the boat were empty, He would not be shouting, and not angry. If you can empty your own boat Crossing the river of the world, No one will oppose you, No one will seek to harm you””
About This Quote
When others are present, we become angry and noisy; empty spaces bring peace.
In simple terms: Anger arises from others’ presence; emptiness brings calm.
Key Takeaway
Find inner emptiness to avoid conflict.
Themes
anger
peace
presence
emptiness
boat
river
world
conflict
calm
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- navigating crowds
- meditation
- handling irritation
Key Concepts
mindfulness
detachment
inner peace
Questions to Reflect On
- What empties your mind?
- How can you stay calm amid provocation?
A Different Perspective
Empty boats may still be troubled by thoughts.
