--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Duke Hwan and the Wheelwright (an…" description: "\"“Duke Hwan and the Wheelwright (an excerpt) The world values books, and thinks that in so doing it is valuing Tao. But books contain words only. And ye..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/thomas-merton-231_books_duke-hwan-and-the-wheelwright-an-excerpt_1262214.jpg" --- # Duke Hwan and the Wheelwright (an excerpt) The world… ![“Duke Hwan and the Wheelwright (an excerpt) The world values books, and thinks that in so doing it is valuing Tao. But books contain words only. And yet there is something else which gives value to the books. Not the words only, nor the thought in the words, but something else within the thought…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/thomas-merton-231_books_duke-hwan-and-the-wheelwright-an-excerpt_1262214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/thomas-merton-231_books_duke-hwan-and-the-wheelwright-an-excerpt_1262214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/thomas-merton-231_books_duke-hwan-and-the-wheelwright-an-excerpt_1262214.jpg) > ““Duke Hwan and the Wheelwright (an excerpt) The world values books, and thinks that in so doing it is valuing Tao. But books contain words only. And yet there is something else which gives value to the books. Not the words only, nor the thought in the words, but something else within the thought, swinging it in a certain direction that words cannot apprehend. But it is the words themselves that the world values when it commits them to books: and though the world values them, these words are worthless as long as that which gives them value is not held in honor. That which man apprehends by observation is only outward form and colour, name and noise: and he thinks that this will put him in possession of Tao. Form and color, name and sound, do not reach to reality. That is why: "He who knows does not say, he who says, does not know." How then is the world going to know Tao through words?”” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Books are valued for words, but true Tao lies beyond language, in the honored thought behind them. **In simple terms:** True understanding transcends written words Key Takeaway Seek deeper insight beyond literal text Themes philosophy spirituality language Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - reading sacred texts - meditative study - teaching others Key Concepts Taoism epistemology metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor the spirit behind words? - What practices reveal meaning beyond language? 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Not the words only, nor the thought in the words, but something else within the thought, swinging it in a certain direction that words cannot apprehend. But it is the words themselves that the world values when it commits them to books: and though the world values them, these words are worthless as long as that which gives them value is not held in honor. That which man apprehends by observation is only outward form and colour, name and noise: and he thinks that this will put him in possession of Tao. Form and color, name and sound, do not reach to reality. 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