Three butterflies flew up to the burning candle and began to talk about the nature of fire.
One flew up to the flame, returned, and said:
- The fire is shining.
Another flew closer and singed the wing. When she flew back, she said:
"It burns!"
The third, flying very close, disappeared in the fire and did not return. She had learned what she wanted to know, but she couldn't tell the others.
The one who has received knowledge is deprived of the opportunity to speak about it, so the one who knows is silent, and the one who speaks does not know.
- A Persian parable