The Tao Is Silent Quotes

“The knowledge of the ancients was perfect. How perfect? I will tell you. At first they did not yet know that there were things. This is the most perfect knowledge; nothing can be added. Next they knew things but did not yet make distinctions between them. Next they made distinctions between them but did not yet pass judgements upon them. When judgement was passed, Tao was destroyed. With the destruction of Tao, individual preferences come into being.”
― Raymond M. Smullyan, The Tao Is Silent: A Whimsical and Sophisticated Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Inner Serenity

“No, free will is not an 'extra'; it is part and parcel of the very essence of consciousness. A conscious being without free will is simply a metaphysical absurdity.”
― Raymond Smullyan, The Tao Is Silent: A Whimsical and Sophisticated Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Inner Serenity

“I do not assert that it is logically impossible for a person to be both moralistic and humane, but I have yet to meet one who is!”
― Raymond M. Smullyan, The Tao Is Silent: A Whimsical and Sophisticated Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Inner Serenity

“A conscious being without free will is simply a metaphysical absurdity.”
― Raymond M. Smullyan, The Tao Is Silent: A Whimsical and Sophisticated Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Inner Serenity

“The Sage falls asleep not because he ought to
Nor even because he wants to
But because he is sleepy.”
― Raymond M. Smullyan, The Tao Is Silent: A Whimsical and Sophisticated Guide to Eastern Philosophy and Inner Serenity