Words Smell
Taoism discounts the value of words ( words, words, words, words). But perhaps that applies only to their value for knowing and understanding. From a zoological point of view, words are essentially social tools. Take the word 'God' for example. For a believers in God, the words helps link them under the same tribal banner. For atheist, the idea of 'no God' helps link them under a shared tribal banner. Words are for us as odor is for dogs - sniff sniff. The words for which we share a mutual 'understanding' connect us. The odd thing is that the understanding is deeper than the words, though we fail to understand that. Why? Words don't impart understanding, they only shadow it, reflect it, symbolize it... give voice to it. But, we discount any perception that can't be 'understood' in some way with words. Doesn't total bilingualism (bilinguality) demonstrates how understanding transcends words? Thus, to deepen understand, trust words less.