The daily rain had ceased and the setting sun still lingered in the western trees. (1 Viewer)

jasque · 13 February 2020

That which everywhere is spoken of is not known at home.

Seeking spring all day we see it not.
The haze rests on the sandal-prints along the ridges of the rice fields.

Returning laughingly we pick a blossom of the plum and as we smell it, lo! behold! all the spring is present in the twig!

Not to know the hero before one's eyes but to ask the hero for heroes, surely that excellently sets forth our proverb.
So has it ever been in China and Japan!

I would use it also in illustration of the good.
There is this further meaning in it.

Vain is the candlestick eight feet long.
The short one two feet long is victor in giving light.

If from the darkness we see the light, it is all clear to our eyes;
but if from the light we seek to penetrate the darkness, we can see it not.

Thus to see the light from the darkness is to hide deeply and cherish profoundly one's own wisdom.

Then if light shine out from such darkness it is naturally strong and clear and reaches to a distance.
This is true light.

But when proud of intellect we labour with celerity and clearness to illuminate that which is close at hand, we look at the darkness from the light.

Such light is weak, confined and superficial. It does not reach to the distance and merely illuminates our fingers ends.
So we are like the unskilled go-player: we cannot see the end, and mistake at every move.

In China and Japan men of great and clear wisdom have been modest and unwilling to use their gifts.