Five wise sayings of ancient philosophers:

1. The best is like water

The best is like water, which comes from "Laozi": "The best is like water. Water benefits all things without fighting. What everyone dislikes is because of the Tao."

It means that the highest level of good deeds is like the character of water, benefiting all things without competing for fame and fortune, and is in a place where everyone does not pay attention. It is the closest to Tao. It is estimated that when Zhang Tianshi was in Longhu Mountain at that time, he would go to the Luxi River all day long to learn Taoism, because in Taoist theory, water is the best and softest; the nature of water is continuous and dense, and it is silent when it is small, and turbulent when it is huge; It is incompatible with others but accommodates all things. There is no better way to live than this.

2. Be indifferent and comfortable, and be clear-minded and determined

Zhuge Liang's "Book of Commandments" said: "Without indifference, there is no clear ambition, and without tranquility, there is no way to go far." "Indifferent" is An ancient Taoist thought, "Laozi" once said that "tranquility is the best, victory but not beauty." If you don't have a clear mind and few desires, you won't be able to make your ambitions clear and firm. If you don't have stability and tranquility, you won't be able to realize your lofty ideals and study hard for a long time.

3. Accumulate thickly and develop weakly, use softness to overcome strength

Accumulation thinly originates from the sentence "A gentleman accumulates thickly but develops thinly". It means that after a long period of preparation and accumulation, you will soon be able to achieve great results, show your abilities, and use softness to restrain strongness. It coincides with the theory advocated by Taoism, let nature take its course, all things are mutually reinforcing and restraining each other. Strong things do not necessarily need to be conquered with stronger force. Sometimes the softest things are just its weaknesses. This should be the reason why the master can conquer the master. But it seemed that the master’s wife was quite strong in speaking.

4. Cultivate your mind and return to your true nature

This attitude of returning to nature is a Taoist teaching. The purpose of learning Taoism and cultivating Taoism is to return life to its original state through self-cultivation and practice. Human's original nature is simple and innocent, which is close to the nature of "Tao". So people often say that children are innocent. However, as age increases, thoughts and desires continue to arise, coupled with the different influences of the social environment and the temptation of erotic goods, the original simple nature is constantly obscured. To learn Taoism and practice Taoism is to return one’s mind and life to a state of simplicity and innocence.

5. The greatest simplicity, simplicity and simplicity

The greatest simplicity is the philosophy of Chinese Taoism. Tao is an important concept in Chinese philosophy, representing "ultimate truth". This concept is not only valued by philosophical schools such as Taoism and Confucianism, but also used by religious schools such as Taoism. The principle of simplicity means that the principles, such as basic principles, methods and rules, are extremely simple and can be explained in one or two sentences. As the saying goes, "One sentence of truth is preached, but thousands of books are falsely preached."

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