S-TAO-pidity

Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow.

How much difference is there between “Yes, sir,” and “Of course not”?

How much difference is there between “good” and “evil”?

What people dread, do not fail to dread.

But, alas, how confused, and the end is not yet.

The multitude are merry, as though feasting on a day of sacrifice,

Or like ascending a tower at springtime.

I alone am inert, showing no sign (of desires),

Like an infant that has not yet smiled.

Wearied, indeed, I seem to be without a home.

The multitude all possess more than enough,

I alone seem to have lost all.

Mine is indeed the mind of an ignorant man,

Indiscriminate and dull!

Common folks are indeed brilliant;

I alone seem to be in the dark.

Common folks see differences and are clear-cut;

I alone make no distinctions.

I seem drifting as the sea;

Like the wind blowing about, seemingly without destination.

The multitude all have a purpose;

I alone seem to be stubborn and rustic.

I alone differ from others,

And value drawing sustenance from Mother (Tao). (Tao Te Ching, 20)

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It is a popular belief today that, usually, those who are considered to be dumb and unknowledgeable (unacquainted) are actually the ones who are really at the top of the pyramid of life. Such idea is widely permeated by our favorite source of that so-called "knowledge"; -the media. From the stories we here from the radios, to the newest trends in the web. Or even from the very novels/books we read, to the latest television shows/movies (e.g. The Three Idiots) we watch; it is always the common subject, that somehow stupidity (instead of education) is the key to success. As how the saying goes: "Matalino man ang matsing, naiisahan parin (Even if the monkey is knowledgeable/wise, it can still be fooled)".

What the text above says is that "knowledge" there is all the things that the human beings accept as the very truth. Yes, somehow it really helps us, from identifying things and making our lives easy etc. etc. But are they really true to the point that we should rejoice/"feast" for it, or feel "brilliant" or somehow be proud of it to the point that it is only the is and nothing more? Are we not aware that what if these are just the "shadows" that Plato referred as mere illusions/images of what is really there? 

Now, why should we be doubtful or somehow be skeptical about it? It is because of the fact that it is not stable; some would consider this as true, while some would say it is not. With such instability then rises dispute and conflict, which will then give an avenue for suffering and "sorrow". If only it is stable then why not? -It will never be dangerous. But since it is not stable, thus it varies, it will never be considered to be the main good that people should carry with them.

Now since it is not the main good or thing that the individuals should have, and somehow it will even devalue the level of such of the human being who carries it (because again, long explanation short, it will give an avenue for suffering/pain/sorrow), the one who is stupid and ignorant, or in respect to Lao Tzu's assertion, the one who is simple enough not to carry such thing called "knowledge", is again the one who is at the top of the thing we call life. Because by that way of not being knowledgeable, brings one close to the Tao which/who is really the knowledgeable one. As Socrates said: "The one who knows that only G(g)od (which I think could somehow be represented as the Tao) knows is the one who actually knows".