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On hearing of the Way, the best of men will earnestly explore it.
When ordinary men hear of the Way, they keep to it or not
according to occasion.
But vulgar people, when they hear the news, laugh out loud.
And if they did not ridicule it, it would not be the Way.
*
The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable, all we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding, like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy water.
-- Tao Te Ching
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