Bald man Quote by Xi Chuan
““Many people pretend to be in thought, proving thought to be a beautiful thing. But the bald man doesn’t need a comb, the tiger doesn’t need weapons, the fool doesn’t need thought. The person with no needs is practically a sage, but the sage also needs to count the rivers across the iron bridge to pass the time. This is the difference between the sage and the fool.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Sage and the Fool” by Xi Chuan, 1995
The passage contrasts superficial intellectualism with genuine simplicity, suggesting that true wisdom lies in lacking unnecessary desires rather than merely thinking.
In simple terms: Real wisdom is about needing less, not thinking more.
Seek simplicity over needless contemplation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- meditation
- decision making
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What needs can you let go of?
- How does desire shape your sense of self?
Even the wise can become trapped by idle counting and over‑analysis.