Original Text(~250 words)
CHAPTER XXV In the House of the Sage On the morning of the following day, Ibarra, after visiting his lands, made his way to the home of old Tasio. Complete stillness reigned in the garden, for even the swallows circling about the eaves scarcely made any noise. Moss grew on the old wall, over which a kind of ivy clambered to form borders around the windows. The little house seemed to be the abode of silence. Ibarra hitched his horse carefully to a post and walking almost on tiptoe crossed the clean and well-kept garden to the stairway, which he ascended, and as the door was open, he entered. The first sight that met his gaze was the old man bent over a book in which he seemed to be writing. On the walls were collections of insects and plants arranged among maps and stands filled with books and manuscripts. The old man was so absorbed in his work that he did not notice the presence of the youth until the latter, not wishing to disturb him, tried to retire. "Ah, you here?" he asked, gazing at Ibarra with a strange expression. "Excuse me," answered the youth, "I see that you're very busy--" "True, I was writing a little, but it's not urgent, and I want to rest. Can I do anything for you?" "A great deal," answered Ibarra, drawing nearer, "but--" A glance at the book on the table caused him to exclaim in surprise, "What, are you given...
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Summary
Ibarra visits old Tasio, the village philosopher who writes in hieroglyphics to hide his thoughts from the current generation. When Ibarra shares his school plans, Tasio delivers harsh truths about Philippine society. He warns that the priest holds real power—the government sees only what the clergy allows it to see. Tasio advises Ibarra to consult the authorities and appear to follow their advice, even while pursuing his own goals. He uses the metaphor of a jasmine plant bending before the wind to survive, then standing tall again when the storm passes. Ibarra struggles with this advice, especially given that these same religious authorities killed his father. But Tasio explains that fighting the system head-on will destroy both Ibarra and his mission. Better to bend, plant the first seed of change, and let future generations build on that foundation. The chapter reveals the complex web of colonial power—how the Spanish government, despite good intentions, remains controlled by local religious authorities who maintain their grip through fear and manipulation. Tasio's wisdom represents the painful reality that meaningful change often requires strategic patience rather than righteous confrontation. Ibarra finally accepts this counsel, deciding to approach the curate diplomatically, though Tasio ominously predicts that the real drama is just beginning.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Colonial Power Structure
A system where foreign rulers control a territory, but local religious or cultural leaders often hold the real day-to-day power. The official government may have good intentions, but they're manipulated by those who actually control information and local relationships.
Modern Usage:
Like how corporate headquarters might set policies, but the local manager who controls what information goes up the chain really runs the show.
Hieroglyphics
Ancient picture-writing that Tasio uses as a metaphor for hiding dangerous thoughts. When you can't speak freely, you find coded ways to express truth that only some people will understand.
Modern Usage:
Like using memes, inside jokes, or talking in code on social media when you can't say what you really think about your boss or the system.
Strategic Patience
The wisdom of bending like a tree in a storm rather than breaking by standing rigid. Sometimes you have to appear to go along with the system while quietly working toward change from within.
Modern Usage:
Like staying polite to a difficult supervisor while documenting everything and building alliances, rather than having a confrontation that gets you fired.
Institutional Gatekeeping
When certain people or groups control access to power, resources, or change by deciding what information reaches decision-makers. They maintain control by filtering what those in authority see and hear.
Modern Usage:
Like how HR departments or middle management can block complaints from reaching the CEO, or how insurance companies control what treatments doctors can recommend.
Generational Change
The idea that real social progress happens slowly, with each generation building on the small changes the previous one managed to make. One person plants seeds that others will harvest.
Modern Usage:
Like how civil rights activists knew they were fighting for changes their grandchildren would benefit from, not expecting to see full results in their lifetime.
Sage
A wise person who understands how the world really works, often someone who has stepped back from active participation to observe and advise. They see patterns others miss.
Modern Usage:
Like the retired teacher or older coworker who gives you the real story about how things work around here, not the official version.
Characters in This Chapter
Tasio
Village philosopher and mentor
The old man who writes in hieroglyphics to hide his thoughts from the current generation. He delivers harsh truths about how power really works in their society and advises Ibarra on survival strategies.
Modern Equivalent:
The wise older person who's seen it all and gives you the real talk about navigating workplace politics
Ibarra
Idealistic protagonist
Visits Tasio seeking advice about his school project. Struggles with accepting the reality that he must work within a corrupt system rather than fighting it directly, especially since that system killed his father.
Modern Equivalent:
The young professional with big dreams who's learning that changing things is more complicated than they thought
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when middle management or gatekeepers filter information to maintain their own power.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone says 'I'll pass that along to the boss' or 'That's not how we do things here' - ask yourself what information might be getting filtered and why.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The government, my friend, is like a man walking in the darkness of night; it hears only the voice of him who is nearest to it."
Context: Explaining to Ibarra why the priest holds the real power despite the government's good intentions
This reveals how information control equals real power. The Spanish government can't see the truth because local religious authorities control what reaches their ears. It's a warning about how systems can be corrupted from within.
In Today's Words:
The people in charge only hear from whoever has their ear, so whoever controls that access controls everything.
"Do like the jasmine, which scatters its flowers on the grave of its destroyer."
Context: Advising Ibarra to be diplomatic with the very authorities who killed his father
This metaphor captures the painful wisdom of strategic patience. Sometimes you have to be gracious to your enemies to achieve your larger goals. It's about long-term victory over short-term satisfaction.
In Today's Words:
Kill them with kindness and outlast them - your success will be the best revenge.
"You will try to do good and they will return you evil, but do not mind it, do not become discouraged."
Context: Preparing Ibarra for the inevitable backlash against his reform efforts
This warns that doing the right thing often brings punishment from those who benefit from the current system. It's both a prediction and encouragement to persist despite opposition.
In Today's Words:
They're going to punish you for trying to make things better, but don't let that stop you.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Strategic Bending
The necessity of temporarily bending to corrupt systems in order to ultimately change them, choosing long-term impact over immediate righteousness.
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Tasio reveals how real power operates through information control—the Spanish government only sees what the clergy allows them to see
Development
Builds on earlier chapters showing how colonial power structures work through local intermediaries
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when middle management filters what upper management hears, or when family gatekeepers control information flow
Identity
In This Chapter
Ibarra must choose between his identity as his father's son (seeking justice) and his identity as a reformer (requiring patience)
Development
Continues Ibarra's struggle between personal honor and practical effectiveness
In Your Life:
You face this when your professional goals require you to work with people who've wronged you personally
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Tasio advises appearing to follow authority while pursuing independent goals—managing public perception versus private mission
Development
Deepens the theme of navigating social roles versus authentic self
In Your Life:
You might need to appear compliant at work while building skills for your real career goals
Class
In This Chapter
The educated Tasio must hide his thoughts in hieroglyphics because his ideas threaten the established order
Development
Shows how class privilege comes with surveillance and restrictions on authentic expression
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your education or success makes others monitor your words more carefully
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Ibarra learns that maturity sometimes means accepting painful compromises for greater good
Development
Marks a crucial evolution from idealistic youth to strategic adult
In Your Life:
You face this when parenting, caregiving, or leadership requires you to swallow pride for others' benefit
Modern Adaptation
When the Promotion Goes Sideways
Following Crisostomo's story...
Crisostomo visits his old mentor Marcus, a veteran mechanic who keeps his real thoughts in encrypted notes. When Crisostomo shares his plans to modernize the shop's safety protocols, Marcus delivers harsh truths about the garage's power structure. The shop foreman controls what the owner sees—any complaints get filtered through him first. Marcus advises Crisostomo to approach the foreman diplomatically, even propose changes as the foreman's own ideas. He uses the metaphor of a tree bending in the wind rather than breaking. Crisostomo struggles with this advice, especially knowing this same foreman covered up the accident that injured his father. But Marcus explains that direct confrontation will get Crisostomo fired and help no one. Better to bend, plant the first seed of change, and let it grow. The conversation reveals how middle management controls information flow, maintaining power through fear while upper management remains oblivious. Marcus's wisdom represents the painful reality that meaningful change often requires strategic patience rather than righteous confrontation.
The Road
The road Ibarra walked in 1887 colonial Philippines, Crisostomo walks today in modern workplaces. The pattern is identical: corrupt gatekeepers controlling information flow while well-meaning authorities remain blind to the truth.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for working within corrupt systems without losing your soul. Crisostomo learns to distinguish between strategic accommodation and moral compromise.
Amplification
Before reading this, Crisostomo might have charged ahead with righteous confrontation, getting fired and helping no one. Now he can NAME the gatekeeper pattern, PREDICT how information flows through corrupt hierarchies, and NAVIGATE power structures strategically while maintaining his integrity.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does old Tasio write in hieroglyphics, and what does this tell us about the society Ibarra is trying to change?
analysis • surface - 2
Tasio warns that the government only sees what the clergy allows them to see. How does this information control create real power, even when the official authority wants to do good?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, school, or community. Where do you see this same pattern—where the official decision-makers are being fed filtered information by gatekeepers?
application • medium - 4
Ibarra struggles with Tasio's advice to bend like a jasmine plant because these same authorities killed his father. When is strategic accommodation worth it, and when does it cross into betraying your values?
application • deep - 5
Tasio believes in planting seeds for future generations rather than fighting battles you can't win today. What does this reveal about how real change actually happens versus how we want it to happen?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Power Ecosystem
Think of a situation where you want to create change—at work, in your family, or in your community. Draw a simple map showing who has official power, who controls information flow to them, and who influences their decisions. Then identify one small step you could take that works with this system rather than against it.
Consider:
- •Official titles don't always reveal where real influence lies
- •Information gatekeepers often have more practical power than decision-makers
- •Small strategic moves can create bigger openings later
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you tried to fight a system head-on and it backfired. Looking back, what would strategic bending have looked like instead?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 26: The Eve of Celebration
As the story unfolds, you'll explore communities come together through shared celebration and hospitality, while uncovering building something meaningful requires both vision and practical support. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.