27. The wise follow the way of stealth

The wise among us follow the natural way of stealth
like a tracker who leaves no hint of having been there;
or, like a good speaker who is never obscure
and is an open book–except when prudence says otherwise.
These living books are secure in their binding.
They are not reduced to classification.
They teach what’s needed.

What the wise understand is that virtue is void without example.

Because they know that virtue unfolds from example
the wise among us teach by example.
They position themselves to teach others
regardless of their ignorance.
They reject no one who seeks their teaching.
From the lives of the wise all gain and grow healthy.

Between teacher and pupil there can be nothing but respect.
The alternative is confusion, and nobody wise wants that.

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