A novice asked the Master: "I have a program that sometimes runs and sometimes aborts. I have followed the rules of programming, yet I am totally baffled. What is the reason for this?"

The Master replied: "You are confused because you do not understand Tao. Only a fool expects rational behaviour from his fellow humans. Why do you expect it from a machine that humans have constructed? The rules of programming are transitory; only Tao is eternal. Therefore, you must contemplate Tao before you receive Enlightenment."

"But how will I know when I have received Enlightenment?" asked the novice.

"Your program will run correctly," replied the Master.

The Tao of Programming