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ll。 They interpret 〃end〃 to mean 〃extreme〃 or 〃ultimate〃 so they can change the first line to say something completely different … that if one can gain the ultimate knowledge so that there is nothing more to learn （thus bringing about an end to learning）； then people would benefit a hundredfold。
In this fashion； they have taken a warning against the disconnect of knowledge from down…to…earth living； and transformed it to a rallying cry to acquire ever more knowledge。 The fact that this can happen at all is the very reason why Lao Tzu emphasizes intuitive wisdom and downplays intelligence。
As we progress through cultivation； let's keep Lao Tzu's admonition in mind： Knowledge isn't a bad thing in and of itself； but book smarts is a very different thing from street smarts。。。 and school learning can never compare to； or supplant life learning。
20
Cease learning； no more worries
Respectful response and scornful response
How much is the difference？
Goodness and evil
How much do they differ？
What the people fear； I cannot be unafraid
So desolate！ How limitless it is！
The people are excited
As if enjoying a great feast
As if climbing up to the terrace in spring
I alone am quiet and uninvolved
Like an infant not yet smiling
So weary； like having no place to return
The people all have surplus
While I alone seem lacking
I have the heart of a fool indeed … so ignorant！
Ordinary people are bright
I alone am muddled
Ordinary people are scrutinizing
I alone am obtuse
So tranquil； like the ocean
So moving； as if without limits
The people all have goals
And I alone am stubborn and lowly
I alone am different from them
And value the nourishing mother
The blind pursuit of learning leads to excessive desires … the more you see； the more you want。 Excessive desires； in turn； lead to anxiety and misery。 Once we understand this and decide to no longer subject ourselves to information overload； the anxiety and misery disappear as quickly as the mental clutter。
People tend to place too much importance and attachment to value judgments like good； evil； respect and scorn。 In reality these are relative variables that change according to perspective。 How much do they actually differ； when there are no absolute standards to measure against？
Of course； I always proceed cautiously as a Tao cultivator。 Whatever the people fear； I must approach with a healthy dose of caution。 If they consider something to be bad； there is probably a reason。 I will handle it with care； even though I understand the relative nature of value judgments。 In this respect； I am not that different from them。
Still； the great Tao is so vast； seemingly without limits。 The gap between the Tao and ordinary people is huge indeed。 For the most part； what they do and how they behave are quite different from my way of being。
For instance； see how easily they become happy and excited； as if enjoying a great feast； or hiking up to a scenic spot where they can take in the panoramic view。 I； on the other hand； maintain my quietness； tranquility； and the purity of my original nature； like a newborn baby that has not yet learned to smile。 My demeanor is not jittery and excitable。 Instead； it is slow and low…key； as if I am a weary traveler without a home to return to； and is therefore in no rush。
I notice how the people have too much； while I alone seem to have too little。 Their lives are filled with things they do not need； while I carry no excess baggage。 My way is minimalist。 I possess the bare necessities of life and and the freedom that comes with having few burdens。
It would certainly appear that I have the heart and mind of a fool。 I seem so simple and ignorant compared to the shrewdness of ordinary people。 They seem so brilliant and logical。 They handle everything in a calculating way； while I react slowly and cannot account for every little thing。 They scrutinize every detail in everything with a sharp eye； while I am happy enough with a general idea and fuzzy approximations。
My mind is tranquil and still； like the depths of the ocean。 At the same time； it is also moving dynamically； like the wind high in the sky。 This is something that most people are not likely to understand。
I see them frantically pursuing various goals in the world； displaying their many talents and abilities； trying to get ahead in the rat race。 Meanwhile； I appear to be stubbornly persisting in my lowly ways。 Why am I so different？ It is only because I hold on to the basis of life； the nurturing mother of all things … the Great Tao itself！
Notes
When Lao Tzu talks about not being overly calculating and scrutinizing； he is specifically referring to our conduct in interpersonal relationships。 Most people keep track of 〃scores〃 … slights； cold shoulders； back stabs； and so on … with great clarity and precision； so that when the time is right they can dole out vengeance and 〃even the score。〃
Tao cultivators do not do that。 They take action to protect themselves； or distance themselves from malicious people； but otherwise let go of personal affronts without needing to retaliate in kind。
People who do not understand think cultivators must be obtuse to let others take advantage of them like that。 They fail to see that； as Gandhi once pointed out； if we all practice 〃an eye for an eye；〃 pretty soon the whole world will be blind。
In the game of life； those who shrewdly 〃win〃 at the expense of others will end up losing big sooner or later。 Tao cultivators； in following Lao Tzu's wisdom； seem to 〃lose〃 in the short term； only to end up； inexplicably； as the ultimate winners in the long run。
21
The appearance of great virtue
Follows only the Tao
The Tao； as a thing
Seems indistinct； seems unclear
So unclear； so indistinct
Within it there is image
So indistinct； so unclear
Within it there is substance
So deep； so profound
Within it there is essence
Its essence is supremely real
Within it there is faith
From ancient times to the present
Its name never departs
To observe the source of all things
How do I know the nature of the source？
With this
The Tao is the infinite field of limitless potential。 Therefore； the manifestation of inherent power and great virtue of all things can only follow the Tao and come from the Tao。
If we were to regard the Tao as a 〃thing；〃 it would be indistinct and unclear。 The Tao embodies the mystery and the unknown。 No matter how close we get to it； it will remain forever beyond complete comprehension。 It will always be one step beyond total clarity。
Within this indistinct and unclear Tao； there is the image of the universe。 The stars； the galaxies … the cosmos are contained within the Tao。
The Tao is the ultimate source of everything。 Although it will always be vague and elusive； it embodies all the potentialities of the physical world。 Material things come out of this void； seemingly out of nowhere。
The Tao has unlimited depth； and it is within this depth that we find the essence