Says the sage: “Be unwilling to change in regard to the good. Be willing and ready to change whenever the version of the good aimed at shows itself to be inadequate.”
Says the pupil: “But I am stuck.”
Sage: “Is there nothing that is good to you?”
Pupil: “I hesitate to give an answer for want of the account that will be demanded.”
Sage: “I asked whether you aimed, not whether you could justify your aiming.”
Pupil: “Yes, I aim.”
Sage: “Then you may put in practice the principle with which we began.”
Pupil: “But I am stuck. I cannot both be committed to change and changelessness. I cannot think it.”
Sage: “I never said anything about thinking. Rogue. Know your place. Become first. Then thinking will be worthwhile. It is a testimony to the quality of your character and the value of thought that you are stuck.”
Pupil: “Is it evidence for something? I want to learn.”
Sage: “Not evidence little one, testimony. You are not even hearing. Will you but listen? Evidence requires thought and argument. Testimony is what Moses encountered in the burning bush. Your stuck-ness is a burning bush. Go and return when you have learned the lesson.”
Pupil: “But teacher, I have so many questions.”
Sage: “Rogue! Go!”
