Great students, when they hear of the Tao, earnestly practice it. Good students, when they hear of the Tao, sometimes follow it and sometimes lose it. Typical students, when they hear of the Tao, ridicule it. Were it not easily ridiculed, it would not be the true Tao. Those most illumined by the Tao are often the dimmest. Those most advanced in the Tao are often the furthest behind. Those best guided by Tao are the least self-assured.
