Internal Tension Quotes

“In short, an argumentation sketch may be able to inspire and lead us in our reflections. We can take one step further by acknowledging that there may be other ways - for example, the aphoristic and even mystical style exemplified in the Lao Zi and to some extent Nietzsche's writing - to express (the author's) and inspire (the readers') reflections than argumentation (argumentation sketch included). This style has its benefits, especially if what is to be expressed has some form of internal tension, or if what is to be said is ineffable in a way. This is the issue underlying the problem of writing in Plato's Phaedrus, the problem of speaking about the inspeakable Dao in the Lao Zi, the problem of how to express oneself without being trapped in one's words in the Zhuang Zi, and the problem of how to assert nothingness in Buddhism.”
― Tongdong Bai, Against Political Equality: The Confucian Case