Adding commentary to the following sentences below takes a lot of thought… What is it that makes the words of a wise man beyond the comprehension of a fool? Is it a lack of understanding, or simply one’s attitude that determines what can be known? Several examples are given below that attempt to convey what lies behind human nature.
That this entry is told in the chapter entitled Confucius tells us that we are to question what motivates behavior. There is a famous saying the “an educated fool is still a fool”. Why is this? The journey away from ignorance begins with a moment of self-awareness, where empathy, respect for others, and self-respect become guiding principles, signaling the first step toward transformation.
Change happens when we step beyond ourselves and recognize the importance of setting examples through our actions—or even inaction. By understanding that everything deserves the chance to thrive and fulfill its potential as nature intended, we come to see that the world and universe are far bigger than just us.
How can we gently and non-threateningly convey the idea that nature—or, if one prefers, a personified concept like “God,” the Tao, or another entity—has an all-encompassing purpose? That everything on earth shares the same origin and conclusion under heaven. How do we inspire people to look beyond themselves toward a greater purpose? To what the ancient Chinese said that “man is but one of ten-thousand things found in nature”.
During his lifetime, as Confucius traveled from state to state, no one paid much attention to his teachings. It was only over a hundred years after his passing that people began to recognize the value of the virtues he advocated. This is why his teachings have lasted for over twenty-five hundred years. I saw this every day while living and teaching in Qufu. There was a quiet reverence and self-respect that had stood the test of time.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Four – Confucius
64. Bows and arrows are not for killing
What is it that makes the words of a wise man beyond the comprehension of a fool? 
Is it a lack of understanding, or simply one’s attitude that determines what can be known?
Prince Mou, the son of the Lord of Wei, enjoyed the company of clever people and took no interest in State affairs. He delighted in the antics of the local philosopher Kung Sun Lung of Chou. Much to the chagrin of those who expected remarkable things from him.
One of those who questioned the wisdom of Kung Sun asked: “He is the kind of man who goes ahead without a teacher and studies without having friends to advise him. 
He is nimble with the tongue, but eccentric. He plays on words and belongs to no one school.
A lover of the extraordinary who talks wildly, trying to confuse men’s minds and win verbal victories. He studies with others whose wisdom is questioned.”
The son of the Lord of Wei was unhappy at such an overblown account of his friend and asked to have it justified? That Kung Sun Lung was not fooling anyone. The man continues:
“I laugh at the way Kung Sun Lung fools others. He has said that a good archer can make the point of the arrow behind hit the notch of the arrow in front. That if he shoots so fast that each one catches up with the one in front, all the arrows stick together. When the first arrow reaches the target none of them breaks off and drops and the notch of the last arrow is still fitted to the bowstring so that to look at them 
you would think that there is only one arrow.”
Kung Sun coolly responded: “That is not a remarkable case. Another man, angry at his wife wanted to frighten her. He drew his bow, fitted an arrow winged with feather and shot at her eye. The point of the arrow touched her pupil without making her eyelid blink and the arrow dropped to the ground without raising the dust.”
Then added, “it is often said that those who question the wisdom of a wise man are only fooling themselves.”
Kung Sun continued: “The point of the arrow behind hits the notch of the arrow in front because the archer makes each shot equal to the one before. The arrow also touches the pupil without making the eyelid blink, because the momentum of the arrow has given out. Why do you doubt it.”
The main antagonist to Kung Sun continued questioned his wisdom by stating that he had made others look like a fool and stated:
“By conceiving of something you fail to 
identify it, by pointing it out you fail to reach it; by treating it as an object you fail to identify it.”
Kung Sun responded that without concepts your mind is the same as it; without pointing you reach everything; whoever exhausts the object exists forever.
Knowing this we cease to make distinctions, become part of the universe, become immortal and become one for the ages. Yet questions continued.
Kung Sun was asked: “How can you say that a shadow does not move?” He responded: “Simply, it is replaced.”
Kung Sun was asked: “How can you say that a hair will draw the weight of a thousand chun when the give and pull are exactly the same?”
Kung Sun answered: “Simply, all things being equal, nothing that breaks can break.”
Kung Sun was asked: “How can you say that a white horse is not a horse?”
Kung Sun answered: “Simply, the horse is identified as a horse due to its shape. Since the name ‘white horse’ diverges from its shape it negates its identity.”
Finally, Kung Sun was asked: “How can you say an orphan calf has never had a mother?”
Kung Sun responded: “Simply, because when it had a mother, it was not an orphan calf, so that now only the opposite can be true.”
The prince upon hearing all the above was confused by all this tongue twisting and verbal sparring from these two and asked for time to sort things out for himself. In time it all became clear for the one who was to take the place of his father as the next Lord of Wei. 3/24/95
Number sixty-four of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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