--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's that?\" the Unbeliever asked…" description: "\"What's that?\" the Unbeliever asked. \"Wisdom from the Western Taoist,\"I said. \"It sounds like something from Winnie-the-Pooh ,\" he said. \"It is,\" I said..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/benjamin-hoff-4297_like-something_what-s-that-the-unbeliever-asked-wisdom_1289953.png" --- # What's that?" the Unbeliever asked. "Wisdom from the… ![“What's that?" the Unbeliever asked. "Wisdom from the Western Taoist,"I said. "It sounds like something from Winnie-the-Pooh ," he said. "It is," I said. "That's not about Taoism," he said. "Oh, yes it is," I said.” quote by Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/benjamin-hoff-4297_like-something_what-s-that-the-unbeliever-asked-wisdom_1289953.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/benjamin-hoff-4297_like-something_what-s-that-the-unbeliever-asked-wisdom_1289953.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/benjamin-hoff-4297_like-something_what-s-that-the-unbeliever-asked-wisdom_1289953.png) > “What's that?" the Unbeliever asked. "Wisdom from the Western Taoist,"I said. "It sounds like something from Winnie-the-Pooh ," he said. "It is," I said. "That's not about Taoism," he said. "Oh, yes it is," I said.” [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dialogue humorously explores Taoist wisdom through a conversation with a skeptic, showing that Taoism can be found in simple stories. **In simple terms:** Simple tales can convey deep philosophy. Key Takeaway Look for wisdom in everyday narratives. Themes humor philosophy dialogue Mood lighthearted thoughtful inspirational Type literary educational When to use this quote - children’s literature discussion - mindfulness workshops - philosophical study groups - creative writing Key Concepts Taoism simplicity interpretation Questions to Reflect On - Can humor aid understanding of philosophy? - Where else do we find profound ideas in simple forms? A Different Perspective Some may dismiss the comparison as trivial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Like something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-something/) [Pooh Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pooh-said-316475/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Said Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-taoism-4198098/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Tao of pooh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-of-pooh/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Taoism Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism-said-316477/) [Taoist Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoist-said-316479/) [Unbelievers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbelievers/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Western Taoist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-taoist-4198099/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Words of wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?" "What's for breakfast?" said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/when-you-wake-up-in-the-morning-pooh-said-piglet-at-last-what-s-the-2/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [To Buddha, the second figure in the painting, life on earth was bitter, filled with attachments and desires that led to suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/to-buddha-the-second-figure-in-the-painting-life-on-earth-was-bitter/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Through working in harmony with life's circumstances, Taoist understanding changes what others may percieve as negative into something positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/through-working-in-harmony-with-life-s-circumstances-taoist/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [A well-frog cannot imagine the ocean, nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/a-well-frog-cannot-imagine-the-ocean-nor-can-a-summer-insect-conceive/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [From the state of the Uncarved Block comes the ability to enjoy the simple and the quiet, the natural and the plain. Along with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/from-the-state-of-the-uncarved-block-comes-the-ability-to-enjoy-the/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Enjoy the simple, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/enjoy-the-simple-the-natural-and-the-plain-along-with-that-comes-the/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Within each of us there is an Owl, a Rabbit, and Eeyore, and a Pooh. For too long, we have chosen the way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/within-each-of-us-there-is-an-owl-a-rabbit-and-eeyore-and-a-pooh-for/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Everything has its own place and function. That applies to people, although many don't seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/everything-has-its-own-place-and-function-that-applies-to-people/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [The wise are not learned, the learned are not wise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-wise-are-not-learned-the-learned-are-not-wise/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If I desire something badly enough, I'll buy it for myself; and this thing will never be a Yankee Candle gift set or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-dent/if-i-desire-something-badly-enough-i-ll-buy-it-for-myself-and-this/) [Grace Dent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-dent/) > [“I wasn’t afraid,” said Pooh, said he, “I’m never afraid with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-milne-2/i-wasn-t-afraid-said-pooh-said-he-i-m-never-afraid-with-you/) [A.A. Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-milne-2/) > [“So wherever I am, there's always Pooh, There's always Pooh and Me. "What would I do?" I said to Pooh, "If it wasn't for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-milne-2/so-wherever-i-am-there-s-always-pooh-there-s-always-pooh-and-me-what/) [A.A. Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-milne-2/) > [“Hallo, Pooh,” said Rabbit. “Hallo, Rabbit,” said Pooh dreamily. “Did you make that song up?” “Well, I sort of made it up,” said Pooh.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-milne-2/hallo-pooh-said-rabbit-hallo-rabbit-said-pooh-dreamily-did-you-make/) [A.A. Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-milne-2/) > [Now then, Pooh," said Christopher Robin, "where's your boat?" "I ought to say," explained Pooh as they walked down to the shore of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-then-pooh-said-christopher-robin-where-s-your-boat-i-ought-to-say/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And if anyone knows anything about anything," said Bear to himself, "it's Owl who knows something about something," he said, "or my name's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-if-anyone-knows-anything-about-anything-said-bear-to-himself-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Benjamin Hoff > [“Those who know what's wrong with them and take care of themselves accordingly will tend to live a lot longer than those who consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/those-who-know-what-s-wrong-with-them-and-take-care-of-themselves/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [There was a man that hated his footprints and his shadow, so one day he thought that if he ran fast enough, his footprints…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/there-was-a-man-that-hated-his-footprints-and-his-shadow-so-one-day/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“Wherever Gandhi went, he transformed situations and lives. 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That applies to people, although many don't seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/everything-has-its-own-place-and-function-that-applies-to-people/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/when-you-discard-arrogance-complexity-and-a-few-other-things-that-get/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [We simply need to believe in the power that's within us, and use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/we-simply-need-to-believe-in-the-power-that-s-within-us-and-use-it/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [But the basic Taoism that we are concerned with here is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/but-the-basic-taoism-that-we-are-concerned-with-here-is-simply-a/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Well, it takes all kinds to make a mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/well-it-takes-all-kinds-to-make-a-mess/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“He tried too hard", said Pooh."and when you try too hard it doesn't work. Try grabbing something quickly and precisely with a tensed up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/he-tried-too-hard-said-pooh-and-when-you-try-too-hard-it-doesn-t-work/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Like silence after noise, or cool, clear water on a hot, stuffy day, Emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/like-silence-after-noise-or-cool-clear-water-on-a-hot-stuffy-day/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“...you'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/you-d-be-surprised-how-many-people-violate-this-simple-principle/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Sourness and bitterness come from the interfering and unappreciative mind. Life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/sourness-and-bitterness-come-from-the-interfering-and-unappreciative/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) [Explore all 112 Benjamin Hoff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) ## More Like something quotes > [I can like something. You can like something. 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