Zhuangzi, Chapter 2 Section 8

In this section, Zhuangzi gives readers a puzzle to solve. Readers are left to wonder what is the point of this section. Zhuangzi concludes by saying: "But I don’t know whether what I have said has really said something or whether it hasn’t said something."  A clue is provided in the next section.

The following is the text of Chapter 2 Section 8 from the book "Zhuangzi, Basic Writings" translated by Burton Watson (1925-2017), with some minor changes.

Chapter 2, Section 8

Now I am going to make a statement here. I don’t know whether or not it fits into the category of other people’s statements. But whether it fits into their category or whether it doesn’t, it obviously fits into some category. So in that respect, it is no different from their statements. [1] However, let me try making my statement.

There is a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is a not yet beginning to be a not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is being. There is nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be nonbeing. There is a not yet beginning to be a not yet beginning to be nonbeing. Suddenly there is being and nonbeing. But between this being and nonbeing, I don’t really know which is being and which is nonbeing. Now I have just said something. But I don’t know whether what I have said has really said something or whether it hasn’t said something.

Notes:

1. Zhuangzi toys with the idea of whether his statement fits into the category of other people's statements.  His statement obviously fits into some category and since all things are one, including statements, then his statement is no different from other people's statements.

See Also

"Zhuangzi, Basic Writings" translated by Burton Watson 

Please find the Chinese text and English translation by James Legge below:

https://ctext.org/zhuangzi/adjustment-of-controversies