A LITTLE LEARNING
The fool's mind covers lightly, like snow.
The student's mind runs onward, like water.
The tutor's mind endures, rugged as rock.The fool's laughter clears the belly.
The student's laughter clears the throat.
The tutor's laughter clears the mind.
The fool has much to swig.
The student has much to say.
The tutor has much to think.
The sage hovers idly,
brimming with mirth!
Humour can
give sublime insights into the heights and depths of human
nature, riddled with paradox and self-contradiction.
By not
taking intellectual matters too seriously, the fool retains a
huge capacity for imbibing wisdom.
By seeing the funny, as well as serious, aspects of
philosophical enquiry, the student's progress stays balanced.
By not taking themself too seriously, the tutor remains
durable and free from dogmatic inflexibility.
Tao does not
intrude, but remains a resource to interact with; seeming to
understand and accept 'what fools these mortals be!'
