Don't ask a blind man's opinion about beautiful designs

Chien Wu said to 'Lien Shu, "I heard 'Chieh Yu' talk on high and fine subjects endlessly. I was greatly startled at what he said, for his words seemed interminable as the 'Milky Way', but they are quite detached from out common human experience."

'What was it?" asked 'Lien Shu.'

'He declared," replied 'Chien Wu, "that on the 'Mia-ku-yi' mountain there lives a divine one, whose skin is white like ice or snow, whose grace and elegance are like those of a virgin, who eats no grain, but lives on air and dew, and who, riding on clouds with flying dragons for his team, roads beyond the limits of the mortal regions. When his spirit gravitates, he can ward off corruption from all things, and bring good crops. That is why I call it nonsense, and do not believe it."

"Well," answered 'Lien Shu, "you don't ask a blind man's opinion of beautiful designs, nor do you invite a deaf man to concert. And blindness and deafness are not physical only. There is blindness and deafness of the mind. His words are like the unspoiled virgin. The good influence of such a man with such character fills all creation. Yet because a paltry generation cries for reform, you would have him busy himself about the details of an empire!

"Objective existence cannot harm. In a flood which reached the sky, he would not be drowned. In a drought, though metals ran liquid and mountains were scorched up, he would not be hot. Out of his very dust and siftings you might fashion two such men as 'Yao' and 'Shun.' And you would have him occupy himself with objectives!"

-Chuangtse