How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Line)
Quote #7
If I have a little knowledge
Walking on the great Tao
I fear only to deviate from it
The great Tao is broad and plain
But people like the side paths (53.1-5)
What could these side paths be? Seems like they're sort of deviations from the way of the Tao. Could it be the lure of getting wrapped up in intellectual concepts that complicate our minds and put a wall between us and the Tao? How can a Taoist know which paths are worth pursuing and which are going to lead them into dangerous territory?
Quote #8
Those who know do not talk
Those who talk do not know (56.1-2)
In general, the TTC is a big fan of silence and is super-suspicious of blabbermouths. There are lots of other places where the book talks about the wisdom of silence. To the TTC, even if a person gives a long and well-informed lecture on any topic, that person still might be missing the most important thing of all: the simple wisdom of the Tao that's flowing all around them. How can a person listen and learn from what's around them if they're always busy talking about what they think they know?
Quote #9
To know that you do not know is highest
To not know but think you know is flawed (71.1-2)
The TTC is also not a fan of know-it-alls. You know the type. They go around acting like they know everything about everything, but really they're all talk. What's much more impressive to the TTC is a person who can admit what they don't know and start from there. It can be kinda hard to figure out what we don't know though, can't it? How can we know what we don't know if we don't know it?