September 25, 2006
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The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish, and when the fish are caught, the
trap is forgotten.
The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the
rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
The purpose of words is to convey
ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a
man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to.
-Chuang Tzu
Comments (2)
the first time I read it, I read it as he is in possession of all that is forgotten. the second time, I read it as he himself has forgotten them. now I’m confused as to what it’s supposed to be. I have a feeling that’s a good place to be.
I suppose it’s something like the old “teach a man to fish” adage, as in it’s easy to pass around ideas themselves, but knowing the way they came about (words now forgotten) will take you further.
of course, it could also just mean “shut your trap”.