“
Number Two: Contrasts
In order to truly appreciate what is beauty
we must also open ourselves to the ugliness
In order to distinguish what is good
we must also look directly at what is evil.
Therefore we know what something is partly by what it is not
We know what is easy partly by comparing to what is difficult
We know what is long partly by measuring it against what is short
We know what is high by beginning with what is low
The front cannot exist without the back
Therefore the wise teacher teaches best through actions not words
They perceive the impermanence of the ten thousand things rising and falling away
They create but do not own
They achieve much but claim no credit
They act
and then move on
This makes their teachings eternal”
Number Two: Contrasts
In order to truly appreciate what is beauty
we must also open ourselves to the ugliness
In order to distinguish what is good
we must also look directly at what is evil.
Therefore we know what something is partly by what it is not
We know what is easy partly by comparing to what is difficult
We know what is long partly by measuring it against what is short
We know what is high by beginning with what is low
The front cannot exist without the back
Therefore the wise teacher teaches best through actions not words
They perceive the impermanence of the ten thousand things rising and falling away
They create but do not own
They achieve much but claim no credit
They act
and then move on
This makes their teachings eternal”