When the springs dry up, fish are stranded together on land. They moisten each other with dampness and spit on each other to keep wet, but this is not as good as forgetting each other in the rivers and lakes.

Zhuangzi uses the predicament of fish stranded on land as a metaphor for mutual support in difficult situations and the true state of freedom.

This statement reflects Zhuangzi's yearning for freedom and natural states. Although fish on land can help each other survive, this is only a temporary expedient. The truly ideal state is when fish swim freely in rivers and lakes, forgetting each other and each finding their proper place. Zhuangzi uses this to express the philosophical idea of transcending worldly constraints and pursuing spiritual freedom.

According to "The Great Master" chapter of Zhuangzi, this quote originated from a philosophical dialogue between Zhuangzi and Huizi. Zhuangzi used the scenario of fish stranded on land after a spring dried up to illustrate his philosophical views. In the story, the spring was originally an ideal environment for fish, but when it dried up, the fish were forced to help each other on land. Zhuangzi used this as a metaphor for human society: when people depart from their natural state and are forced to rely on artificial moral norms to maintain relationships, though it may seem warm and caring, they have actually lost their most authentic state of freedom. He advocated that people should live like fish in great rivers and lakes, each existing freely without deliberately helping each other or maintaining relationships. This vivid metaphor became an important carrier of Zhuangzi's philosophical thought, passed down through the ages.

This quote has had a significant impact on Chinese philosophical and literary history, becoming an important representative expression of Daoist thought. In later literary works, "moistening each other with spit" was widely quoted, becoming a classic image describing mutual support in adversity. Literati through the dynasties frequently used this allusion in poetry and prose, such as Li Bai's "moistening each other with damp breath, moistening each other with spit, forgetting each other in rivers and lakes." In philosophy, this quote became important material for discussing the relationship between nature and artificiality, freedom and regulation, influencing later understanding and interpretation of Daoist philosophy. Simultaneously, this metaphor influenced Chinese philosophy of life, forming a traditional thought of pursuing naturalness in human relationships and opposing deliberate artificiality. Modern scholars studying Chinese philosophy, literature, and culture all regard this quote as an important entry point for understanding Zhuangzi's thought and the spirit of Chinese traditional culture.

To apply the wisdom of this quote in practical life, we can approach it from several aspects: First, in interpersonal communication, learn to maintain appropriate distance and freedom, avoiding excessive dependence on others or allowing others to depend too much on you. True friendship and love should be like fish in rivers and lakes - independently existing yet harmoniously coexisting. Second, when dealing with problems, distinguish between artificial intervention and natural solutions. Sometimes the best solution is not active intervention but giving time and space for problems to resolve naturally. Third, in personal cultivation, develop an independent personality and free spirit, not relying on external evaluations and standards but following inner voice and natural laws. Finally, when facing difficulties, both appreciate others' help (moistening each other with spit) and pursue a higher state of freedom (forgetting each other in rivers and lakes), finding balance between mutual assistance and maintaining independence.