The Fragrance of the Rose

The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao-tzu’s dictum:

"Those who know, do not say;
Those who say, do not know."

When the master entered,
they asked him what the words meant.
Said the master,

"Which of you knows the fragrance of a rose?"
All of them indicated that they knew.

Then he said,
"Put it into words."

All of them were silent.

from One Minute Wisdom by Anthony DeMello