Shicheng Qi came to see Lao-tsu and asked him, “I heard master, that you are a sage, so I came to see you, not minding the long journey. During the hundred days of the journey the soles of my feet became callous, but I did not stop to rest. Now I see that you are not a sage. There is some rice left about the holes of the rats but you leave it alone. That is unkind. When your food is prepared, even if you cannot consume it all, you hoard it.”

Lao-tsu looked indifferent and made no reply.

The next day, Shicheng Qi came to see him again and said. “Yesterday I offended you; but today I am restored to a better frame of mind. Why is this?”

Lao-tsu replied, “I believe that I have shaken off any claims to possess knowledge or of being a sage. If you had call me an ox, I would have said that I was an ox. If you had called me a horse, I would have said that I was a horse. If there is a reality corresponding to men’s ideas to which men give a name but someone does not accept it, will only land in difficulties. I will always yield— I did not put it on as an act for the occasion.”

Shicheng Qi stepped back in order to not even be near Lao-tsu’s shadow. Coming forward in all humility, he asked how he might cultivate himself. Lao-tsu replied, “Your demeanor is repellant; your eyes stare; your forehead is wide but still pinched; your mouth gapes, your appearance is conceited; you are like a tethered horse and would bolt like an arrow from a bow if you were not restrained; you are preoccupied with minutiae; your knowledge is contrived and yet you try to appear natural. All these are indications of your lack of sincerity. If at the borders one met such a man, he would be called a thief.

Zhuangzi by Zhuang Zhou, trans. Hyun Höchsmann and Yang Guorong, The Way of Heaven

Think of this dialog as you would a one act play. Lao-tsu, the most respected of teachers is sought out by Shicheng Qi who has traveled a considerable distance. He is disappointed when his expectations are not immediately satisfied. Lao-tsu seems “ordinary” in every sense of that term. His living space is unkept. His eating habits are untidy, he hoards uneaten food, etc., etc..

Lao-tsu well aware of the implied criticism, offers no response, no defense of his scruffy, messy appearance. Then Shicheng Qui reflects upon his negativity and apologizes. Lao-tsu then says that he makes no claim to be anything more than who he can only be. And that anyone has permission to call him anything that they will… Even an ox! Since appearances are nothing but the mere surface…

The point of this entire exchange between these two is to say that language which is first and foremost a matter of labeling, is entirely arbitrary. We accede to agreed upon labels only to facilitate, to advance the communication between us. There’s no reality behind the name, except that of communication.

The point registers, and Shicheng Qui steps back. (Lao-tsu has nothing to teach him.)

Shicheng Qui nevertheless insists! He cannot help himself. Lao-tsu surely possesses esoteric knowledge, insight about self cultivation that he could disclose.

Lao-tsu replies in so many words: Get over yourself, man!

Apt advice for us both dear reader.

Now a tune, Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones. The truth has never better been said. This is and always has been our situation.

Oh, a storm is threat’ning
My very life today
If I don’t get some shelter
Oh yeah, I’m gonna fade away

War, children, it’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away
War, children, it’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away

Ooh, see the fire is sweepin’
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost your way…