Quote by Zhuangzi: “A fish trap is for catching fish; once you've caught the fish, you can forget the trap.”

This metaphor means that tools or teachings are useful for reaching a goal, but once the goal is achieved, the tools themselves are no longer needed. Don't cling to methods after you've grasped the underlying truth.

This famous analogy teaches about transcending conventional language and doctrines once their purpose is served. It encourages direct insight over rigid adherence to philosophical systems, aligning with Taoist spontaneity.

Chinese Taoist philosopher of the fourth century BCE whose writings form the second major text of Taoism after the Tao Te Ching. Born in the state of Song, he rejected official positions and preferred parable and paradox to systematic argument. The Zhuangzi text, named after him, remains one of the most imaginative works in Chinese literature.