Excerpt from Step 11: Reach plus Completion

On Trustworthy Speech


Laoism pointedly states that "Trustworthy words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not trustworthy." (68:1) The artistic beauty of a speech can promote the understanding between words and lines. It can also uplift the power connection between sonic vibration and silent action. But it never loses the simple notion of intention underlining the speech. Why? Because the beautified speech deviates from the truth, and artificial speech never builds upon the faith.
"When faith is weak, there is distrust. Especially in the worth of speech. Results speak for themselves. Thus, people call me Nature." (17: 2-3)

On another occasion, Laoist explains that the trustworthiness does not deal with the things or objects one trusts. It is about self-trust. He demonstrates this by implying that action of a sage is:

"The sage is always without his own mind.
He uses people's minds as his mind.
He is kind to those who are kind.
He is also kind to those who are not kind.
It is the kindness of Action itself.
He is trustworthy to those who are trustworthy.
He is also trustworthy to those who are not trustworthy.
It is the trust of Action itself.
In the world, the sage inhales.
For the world, the sage keeps the mind simple.
All people are fixated on the ears and eyes,
while the sage always smiles like a child." (49: 1 - 4)

When the sage inhales in the world, the Love and power of the Tao is alive and vibrant within. When the sage keeps his mind simple, his trustworthy action speaks for itself. What more can a sage do than smile like a child? Isn't the child-like smile loveable to the Tao, simple to the fact, and plain as the trust?