The time of the autumn floods came and the hundred streams poured into the Yellow River. … Then the Lord of the River was beside himself with Joy, believing that all the beauty in the world belonged to him alone.

Zhuangzi
About This Quote

The autumn floods were a time of great celebration for the people of the Han Dynasty. The floods came early and brought with them a great bounty of food and plants. The waters came and then receded, leaving behind a vast, fertile land that was ready to be cultivated again. The floodwaters were also a sign that the season was changing and winter was coming.

People rejoiced, believing that all the beauty in the world belonged to them alone. However, there was one man who never shared this joy. He was so consumed by his jealousy that he tried to stop the floodwaters from coming at all.

Source: Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings

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