--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The tao is made because we walk it,things…" description: "\"The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they are called.\" — Zhuangzi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg" --- # The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they… ![“The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they are called.” quote by Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg) > “The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they are called.” [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. The Tao emerges through living it; naming follows existence. **In simple terms:** Living creates the Tao, names follow. Key Takeaway Embrace experience, let names arise naturally. Themes philosophy existence language Mood contemplative reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily practice - spiritual reflection - writing - teaching Key Concepts Taoism ontological emergence Questions to Reflect On - How does living shape your understanding of reality? - Can naming ever fully capture experience? A Different Perspective Names can limit perception if clung to. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) ## Related quotes > [“Everything will resolve itself sooner or later. This is the way of the Tao. Walk through life without fear for the future or regret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/qiguang-zhao/everything-will-resolve-itself-sooner-or-later-this-is-the-way-of-the/) [Qiguang Zhao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/qiguang-zhao/) > [You Try so Hard to Run things out that you can't even walk things out!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-d-r-l-testament/you-try-so-hard-to-run-things-out-that-you-can-t-even-walk-things-out/) Junior Dè Rèál Testament > [Tao is the source of both fullness and emptiness. But it is itself neither fullness nor emptiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/tao-is-the-source-of-both-fullness-and-emptiness-but-it-is-itself/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [To regard the fundamental as the essence, to regard things as coarse, to regard accumulation as deficiency, and to dwell quietly alone with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/to-regard-the-fundamental-as-the-essence-to-regard-things-as-coarse/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Tao is beyond words and beyond things. It is not expressed either in word or in silence. Where there is no longer word or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/tao-is-beyond-words-and-beyond-things-it-is-not-expressed-either-in/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [The Tao is told is not the Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-told-is-not-the-tao/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-infinite-eternal-why-is-it-eternal-it-was-never-born-thus/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-way-is-easy-yet-people-prefer-the-side-paths-be-aware-when-2/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao which you know is not the eternal Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-which-you-know-is-not-the-eternal-tao/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Tao is so important because it is connected to all the life forms - it's related to the whole universe. Nobody can say, "Tao…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-chang/tao-is-so-important-because-it-is-connected-to-all-the-life-forms-it/) [Henry Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-chang/) > [Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/every-being-in-the-universe-is-an-expression-of-the-tao-it-springs/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-great-way-is-easy-yet-people-prefer-the-side-paths-be-aware-when/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Why is the tao so valuable? Because it is everywhere, and everyone can use it. This is why those who seek will find, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/why-is-the-tao-so-valuable-because-it-is-everywhere-and-everyone-can/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## 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. Calculate the time he is alive and it cannot compare to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/calculate-what-man-knows-and-it-cannot-compare-to-what-he-doesn-t/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Heaven cannot but be high. Earth cannot but be broad. The sun and moon cannot but revolve. All creation cannot but flourish. To do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/heaven-cannot-but-be-high-earth-cannot-but-be-broad-the-sun-and-moon/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [If you wish to care for your body, first of all take care of material things, though even when you have all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/if-you-wish-to-care-for-your-body-first-of-all-take-care-of-material/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [As regards the quietude of the sage, he is not quiet because quietness is said to be good. He is quiet because the multitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/as-regards-the-quietude-of-the-sage-he-is-not-quiet-because-quietness/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [All existing things are really one. We regard those that are beautiful and rare as valuable, and those that are ugly as foul and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/all-existing-things-are-really-one-we-regard-those-that-are-beautiful/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Now, when ordinary people attempt to find happiness, I am not sure whether the happiness is really happiness or not. 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 Heaven and earth quotes > [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/) [Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/) > [When black women are down with you and in your corner, you have an ally that will move Heaven and Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/when-black-women-are-down-with-you-and-in-your-corner-you-have-an/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [“Make peace with yourself, and both heaven and earth will make peace with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-isaac-the-syrian/make-peace-with-yourself-and-both-heaven-and-earth-will-make-peace/) St. Isaac the Syrian > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“I’ll move heaven and earth to make you happy, Evie. I want you there when I wake up every morning and there when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-raye-harris/i-ll-move-heaven-and-earth-to-make-you-happy-evie-i-want-you-there/) [Lynn Raye Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-raye-harris/) > [Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/do-not-like-do-not-dislike-all-will-then-be-clear-make-a-hairbreadth/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [They say that God lives very high! But if you look above the pines You cannot see our God. And why? And if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/they-say-that-god-lives-very-high-but-if-you-look-above-the-pines-you/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [Affection as a essential principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance of relationships in the world. For the union of heaven and earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/affection-as-a-essential-principle-of-relatedness-is-of-the-greatest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As regards the quietude of the sage, he is not quiet because quietness is said to be good. He is quiet because the multitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/as-regards-the-quietude-of-the-sage-he-is-not-quiet-because-quietness/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Ah, there are so many things betwixt heaven and earth of which only the poets have dreamed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/ah-there-are-so-many-things-betwixt-heaven-and-earth-of-which-only/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“We come to conquer this land by his command, that all may come to a knowledge of God and of His Holy Catholic Faith;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/we-come-to-conquer-this-land-by-his-command-that-all-may-come-to-a/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [Heaven and earth, advantages and obstacles, conspire to educate genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fuseli/heaven-and-earth-advantages-and-obstacles-conspire-to-educate-genius/) [Henry Fuseli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fuseli/) [Browse all 635 Heaven and earth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they are called.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhuangzi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-things-become-what-they-are-called/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Heaven and earth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-things-become-what-they-are-called/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/zhuangzi-1341_made_the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-thing_1117497.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The tao is made because we walk it,things become what they are called.” — Zhuangzi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Zhuangzi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The tao is made because we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-things-become-what-they-are-called/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/the-tao-is-made-because-we-walk-it-things-become-what-they-are-called/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```