A useless life is free

Throughout his book, Zhuangzi puts the ideas of freedom and play opposite usefulness. He thinks we need to reject the concept of usefulness because it does not make us happier or more in harmony with nature.

Zhuangzi does not recommend that we shut ourselves away from society or give up a lucrative position to become a hermit in a mountain cabin. Instead, Zhuangzi responds to a mindset - that usefulness should be last when we evaluate our life choices.