The Skilful Exchange of Information"A good path has no ruts, a
good speech has no flaws, a good analysis uses no schemes."
"A good lock has no bar or bolt, and yet it cannot be opened. A
good knot does not restrain, and yet it cannot be unfastened."
"Thus it is that enlightened people are always good at saving
others, hence no one is wasted. They are always good at saving
things, hence nothing is wasted. This is called doubling the
light."
"Therefore a good person is the teacher of an inferior person,
and the inferior person is the resource of a good person. One who
does not cherish a teacher or a good resource, although
intelligent, is deluding themselves. This is called Significant
Subtlety."
When people use force or cunning to shape events, they are
walking a path that is already rutted, using logic that is
inherently flawed and basing their calculations on schemes and
guesses. Just as the most skilful knots hold things in place
without excessive force, certain ends are best accomplished without
the use of obviou s means.
In worldly undertakings, the most effective and far-reaching
systems rely on spontaneity, creativity and an intuitive
understanding of human nature and social needs.
Enlightened people skilfully employ other people and things and
thus spread the Light - the information that helps steer the course
of evolution. In this way, the skilful person becomes the teacher.
Herein lies the symbolic relationship that reflects the
interdependence between all states in the universe - energy and
matter, proton and electron, time and space. Uninformed people need
a model after that to model themselves.
Teachers derive energy and penetrating insight from acting as
that model. Thus, with the proper values and attitudes towards each
other, they are both transformed and come into harmony with the
Tao. (27)
