This matter, zen, is like a great mass of fire; when
you approach it your face is sure to be scorched.
It is again like a sword about to be drawn; when it
is once out of the scabbard, someone is sure to lose
his life.  But if you neither fling away the scabbard
nor approach the fire, you are no better than a
piece of rock or of wood.  Coming to this pass, one
has to be quite a resolute character, full of spirit.
	- Tai-hui