--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. Do…" description: "\"Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. Do not be absorbed by activities. Do not think that you know. Be aware of all that is and dwell in the infinite. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/zhuangzi-1341_activity_do-not-seek-fame-do-not-make-plans-do-no_179577.jpg" --- # Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. Do not be absorbed by… ![“Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. Do not be absorbed by activities. Do not think that you know. Be aware of all that is and dwell in the infinite. Wander where there is no path. Be all that heaven gave you, but act as though you have received nothing. Be empty, that is all.” quote by Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/zhuangzi-1341_activity_do-not-seek-fame-do-not-make-plans-do-no_179577.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/zhuangzi-1341_activity_do-not-seek-fame-do-not-make-plans-do-no_179577.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f51/zhuangzi-1341_activity_do-not-seek-fame-do-not-make-plans-do-no_179577.jpg) > “Do not seek fame. Do not make plans. Do not be absorbed by activities. Do not think that you know. Be aware of all that is and dwell in the infinite. Wander where there is no path. Be all that heaven gave you, but act as though you have received nothing. Be empty, that is all.” [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages humility, openness, and non-attachment, urging one to be present, receptive, and free of ego-driven goals. **In simple terms:** Be humble, open, and unattached to fame or plans. Key Takeaway Live simply and stay receptive to the infinite. Themes humility mindfulness non‑attachment spirituality Mood calm reflective peaceful Type philosophical spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - creative work - daily routines - spiritual practice Key Concepts Daoism emptiness wu‑wei Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay engaged without clinging to outcomes? - What does “empty” mean in your life? A Different Perspective May lead to lack of direction if misinterpreted as passivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awakening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awakening/) [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Men seek fame and high places only to learn that they were happier in obscurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/men-seek-fame-and-high-places-only-to-learn-that-they-were-happier-in/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Moved by their selfish desires, people seek after fame and glory. But when they have acquired it, they are already stricken in years. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/moved-by-their-selfish-desires-people-seek-after-fame-and-glory-but/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Some seek fame cause they need validation, Some say hating is confused admiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/some-seek-fame-cause-they-need-validation-some-say-hating-is-confused/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Most of authors seek fame, but I seek for justice - a holier impulse than ever entered into the ambitious struggles of the votaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davy-crockett/most-of-authors-seek-fame-but-i-seek-for-justice-a-holier-impulse/) [Davy Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davy-crockett/) > [I want to be someone capable of seeing the unseen faces, of seeing those who do not seek fame or glory, who silently fulfil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-want-to-be-someone-capable-of-seeing-the-unseen-faces-of-seeing-2/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I want to be someone capable of seeing the unseen faces, of seeing those who do not seek fame or glory, who silently fulfil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-to-be-someone-capable-of-seeing-the-unseen-faces-of-seeing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The path to Heaven runs through miles of clouded Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imagine-dragons/the-path-to-heaven-runs-through-miles-of-clouded-hell/) [Imagine Dragons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imagine-dragons/) > [It were a journey like the path to heaven, To help you find them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/it-were-a-journey-like-the-path-to-heaven-to-help-you-find-them/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The path to heaven lies through heaven, and all the way to heaven is heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/the-path-to-heaven-lies-through-heaven-and-all-the-way-to-heaven-is/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Noble discontent is the path to heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wentworth-higginson/noble-discontent-is-the-path-to-heaven/) [Thomas Wentworth Higginson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wentworth-higginson/) > [The pure soul shall mount on native wings, . . . and cut a path into the heaven of glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/the-pure-soul-shall-mount-on-native-wings-and-cut-a-path-into-the/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [Our dreams are the forgotten path to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-klemp/our-dreams-are-the-forgotten-path-to-heaven/) [Harold Klemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-klemp/) > [Of course! The path to heaven doesn't lie down in flat miles. It's in the imagination with which you perceive this world, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/of-course-the-path-to-heaven-doesn-t-lie-down-in-flat-miles-it-s-in/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [The path to Heaven is narrow, rough and full of wearisome and trying ascents, nor can it be trodden without great toil; and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southwell/the-path-to-heaven-is-narrow-rough-and-full-of-wearisome-and-trying/) [Robert Southwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southwell/) > [“Of course! the path to heaven doesn't lie down in flat miles. It's in the imagination with which you perceive this world, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/of-course-the-path-to-heaven-doesn-t-lie-down-in-flat-miles-it-s-in-2/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) ## More by Zhuangzi > [Sorrow and happiness are the heresies of virtue; joy and anger lead astray from TAO; love and hate cause loss of virtue. The heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/sorrow-and-happiness-are-the-heresies-of-virtue-joy-and-anger-lead/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [The enlightened attention rejects nothing nor welcomes anything-like a mirror it responds equally to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-enlightened-attention-rejects-nothing-nor-welcomes-anything-like/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [If a man is crossing the river and an empty boat collides with his skiff, even though he is a bad tempered man he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/if-a-man-is-crossing-the-river-and-an-empty-boat-collides-with-his/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Calculate what man knows and it cannot compare to what he doesn't know. 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I study what ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/now-when-ordinary-people-attempt-to-find-happiness-i-am-not-sure/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Words exist because of meaning; once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/words-exist-because-of-meaning-once-you-ve-gotten-the-meaning-you-can/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Easy is right. Begin right and you are easy. Continue easy and you are right. The right way to go easy is to forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/easy-is-right-begin-right-and-you-are-easy-continue-easy-and-you-are/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Hence it demands the emptiness of all the faculties. And when the faculties are empty, then the whole being listens. There is then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/hence-it-demands-the-emptiness-of-all-the-faculties-and-when-the/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Everything has what is innate,everything has what is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/everything-has-what-is-innate-everything-has-what-is-necessary/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Where can I find a man who has forgotten words, so I can have a few words with him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/where-can-i-find-a-man-who-has-forgotten-words-so-i-can-have-a-few/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Standards are different for all things, so the standard set by man is by no means the only 'certain' standard. If you mistake what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/standards-are-different-for-all-things-so-the-standard-set-by-man-is/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) [Explore all 243 Zhuangzi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) Gero Miesenbock > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Do not seek fame. 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