The significance of the floating clouds and hazy mists of an ink painting would often be lost on one who lacks the appropriate understanding of Chinese philosophy. In fact, without that knowledge, one may even feel that all ink paintings look formulaic and repetitive.
從另一方面解釋，若是對中國哲學完全無知，面對一幅水墨畫，往往覺得煙雲飄渺，不知從何看起；或是覺得千篇一律，跳不出古人格局。