But if one comes your way, do not refuse.
If you meet someone who is suffering,
You must help them.
What good is self-cultivation and wisdom if you just keep it for yourself? Knowledge is meant to be used, and if you can use it on behalf of others, you should.There was once a man who prayed daily to a particular god among many in the temple. Eventually, he noticed that the incense he lit drifted over all -- other gods were getting the benefit of his efforts! He built a paper cone over the incense burner so that all the smoke would be directed right at the nose of his god. Unfortunately, this turned the face of his god black with soot.
Those who follow Tao believe in using sixteen attributes on behalf of others : mercy, gentleness, patience, nonattachment, control, skill, joy, spiritual love, humility, reflection, restfulness, seriousness, effort, controlled emotion, magnanimity, and concentration. Whenever you need to help another, draw upon these qualities. Notice that self-sacrifice is not included in this list. You do not need to destroy yourself to help another. Your overall obligation is to complete your own journey along your personal Tao. As long as you can offer solace to others on your same path, you have done the best that you can.
Personal Interpretation
Self-cultivation and wisdom are meaningless if not applied to our lives. We should proceed from a sense of compassion, offering help when we can. Followers of Tao draw upon 16 sacred qualities when they interact with others. It is important to note that self-sacrifice does not appear on this list; is not considered virtuous. We must not forget ourselves when we stoop to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We can be nothing for anyone else if we are not something for ourselves first. It is not selfish to have a strong sense of self. It is what makes it possible to humble ourselves, what makes it possible to give of ourselves, what makes it possible to make manifest our caring.
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