Who is Zhang Han 张韩

Zhang Han
A metaphysician of the Western Jin Dynasty.

In philosophy, he adhered to Zhuangzi's view that "Those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know" (Zhuangzi·Heavenly Dao) and the I Ching Appendix·Xici's assertion that "Writing cannot fully convey words, and words cannot fully convey meaning." He put forward the theory of "not using the tongue," arguing that silence is superior to speech, and that the most essential things cannot be expressed through language. He said: "Those who debate believe that the mind and qi drive each other, and speech arises through the tongue. If one rolls up the tongue and holds in qi, how can reason be expressed smoothly? I think paying attention to words is not as good as paying attention to silence." (On Not Using the Tongue)

Starting from the view of "paying attention to silence," he advocated that whether one has a tongue or not, the mind and intention should communicate directly. He said: "People only know that without a tongue, one communicates through the mind, but they do not fully understand that even with a tongue, one must communicate directly through the mind." (Ibid.)

This means that merely knowing that those without a tongue, being unable to speak, are forced to communicate directly through the mind is far from sufficient; one must also understand that even with a tongue, one should refrain from using it and let the mind communicate directly. He put forward the assertion that "the most essential things are even more inexpressible," believing that the more refined and profound thoughts are, the less they can be expressed in words, and that language cannot convey the meanings beyond what sages say. He said: "Confucius said, 'What does heaven say? The four seasons proceed.' 'The literary works of the Master can be heard, but his words on nature and the Dao of heaven cannot be heard.' This means that the most essential things are even more inexpressible." (Ibid.)

His advocacy of "the theory of not using the tongue" reflected both his philosophical views and his political insights. He believed that excessive speech invites misfortune, while silence avoids it. He said: "The triggering of words determines honor and disgrace. Misfortune follows in the wake of words, while blessings brought by them are very rare. Losing one's head or having one's clan exterminated leaves nothing but endless sorrow," "Parrots and orangutans chatter in cages, yet they cannot preserve even a single thing. How could heaven and earth, along with all creatures, care to speak!" (Ibid.)

His political indignation further reinforced the philosophy that "words cannot fully convey meaning."

His essay On Not Using the Tongue is recorded in Yiwen Leiju (Classified Collection of Literary Works) Volume 17 and Quan Jin Wen (Complete Prose of the Jin Dynasty) Volume 107.