SHEDDING LIGHT

DUSKLIGHT

In thick darkness:
a little light guides,
but a great light blinds.

In deep ignorance:
homespun lore is indispensable;
high-flown thought - quite useless.

In great confusion:

simple persistence leads
;
complicated scheming misleads.


A blazing torch demands a revelation.
A humble candle offers enlightenment.


ICON

Attempts to extract truth or insight by using philosophical methods in the manner of tools, or even weapons, are shunned by Taoism;
which also regards 'revelations' - whether sought or unsought, interpreted as 'divine' or not - in a cautious and sceptical manner.

LOWLY CONFIDENTIAL