The sage seeks harmony with the Way by trying to find contentment in the present moment. Many live their lives searching for happiness. Some play it safe, some take risks, while others indulge. None of these paths lead to contentment. In order to be content one should reduce desires, live simply, and practice moderation.
“Those who leave the womb at birth and those who enter their source at death, of these; three out of ten celebrate life, three out of ten celebrate death, and three out of ten simply go from life to death. What is the reason for this? Because they are afraid of dying, therefore they can not live.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 50
Desire
Desires can be based on greed and leads to discontent.
“There is no greater transgression than condoning people’s selfish desires, no greater disaster than being discontent, and no greater retribution than for greed.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 46
If one has every possession they want they still won’t be content.
“The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect, yet their usefulness is not diminished. The greatest fullness seems empty, yet it will be inexhaustible.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 45
Pursuing beauty, extravagant entertainment, and fine foods doesn’t lead to contentment.
“Five colors blind the eye. Five notes deafen the ear. Five flavors make the palate go stale. Too much activity deranges the mind.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 12
Pursuing wealth is not fulfilling as fortunes are easily lost.
“Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 44
Praise
Some seek praise and adulation to make them happy but this doesn’t lead to contentment. It only leads to the fear of losing praise.
“Success is as dangerous as failure, and we are often our own worst enemy. What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure? He who is superior is also someone’s subordinate. Receiving favor and losing it both cause alarm.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 13
Knowledge
Accumulating human knowledge will not lead to contentment.
“Naming often makes things impersonal, so we should know when naming should end. Knowing when to stop naming, you can avoid the pitfall it brings.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 32
It will only reduce one’s energy.
“The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows; it is empty, yet has not lost its power...the more you talk of it, the less you comprehend. It is better not to speak of things you do not understand.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 5
It distracts from harmony.
“Forget about knowledge and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times better off.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 19
Simplicity
The sage becomes content by focusing on simplicity.
“If selfish desires were to arise after their transformation, I would erase them with the power of the Uncarved Block.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 37
Simplicity leads to purity.
“Forget about knowledge and wisdom…Throw away charity and righteousness…Throw away profit and greed…These three are superficial and aren’t enough to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also: Embrace simplicity.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 19
It helps settle the world and keeps one grounded.
”By the power of the Uncarved Block, future generations would lose their selfish desires. By losing their selfish desires, the world would naturally settle into peace.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 37
The sage ignores extravagance and focuses on the essentials.
“Therefore, the sage attends to the belly, and not to what he sees.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 12
Moderation
The sage finds contentment through moderation. They do not indulge desires, seek wealth, or look for praise.
“It is easier to carry an empty cup than one that is filled to the brim...The more wealth you possess the harder it is to protect. Pride brings its own trouble. When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 9
They know when they have had enough.
“Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 46
They don’t surround themselves with desirable things because it only distracts them.
“Do not display your treasures or people will become envious.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 3
They know that attending festive events will not bring them contentment.
“Other people are joyous, as though they were at a spring festival. I alone am unconcerned and expressionless, like an infant before it has learned to smile.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 20
They avoid excess and extravagance.
“The Master accepts things as they are, and out of compassion avoids extravagance, excess and the extremes.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 29
Their wellbeing is more important than wealth.
“Which is more important, your honor or your life? Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person? Which is more destructive, success or failure? Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 44
Benefits of Moderation
Moderation protects one from being dishonored.
“Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 44
It provides longevity.
“knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 44
It renews the sage.
“The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 15
It protects them from harm.
“Naming often makes things impersonal, so we should know when naming should end. Knowing when to stop naming, you can avoid the pitfall it brings.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 32
Compassion
The sage finds contentment by being compassionate to others.
“Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 19
They put themselves last and by helping others are fulfilled.
“The Master puts herself last; And finds herself in the place of authority. She detaches herself from all things; Therefore she is united with all things. She gives no thought to self. She is perfectly fulfilled.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 7
The more they help others the more content they are.
“Since the things she does are for the people, she has more than she needs. The more she gives to others, the more she has for herself.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 81
Leadership
A leader can bring contentment to others. Their goal is peace and they avoid using force.
“Weapons are the bearers of bad news; all people should detest them…Only as a last resort will a wise person use a deadly weapon. If peace is her true objective how can she rejoice in the victory of war?”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 31
Not being forceful prevents retaliation.
“What others teach I too will teach: ‘The strong and violent will not die a natural death.’
Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
Leaders focus on essentials such as feeding others.
“The Master leads by emptying people’s minds, filling their bellies.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 3
They give people freedom to live their lives.
“When people go hungry, the government’s taxes are too high. When people become rebellious, the government has become too intrusive.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 75
By putting themselves last they help others and become fulfilled.
“People despise being orphaned, widowed and poor. But the noble ones take these as their titles. In losing, much is gained, and in gaining, much is lost.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
Leaders are moderate which prevents unforeseen problems in the future.
“There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Dao. Those who follow the Dao early will have an abundance of virtue. When there is an abundance of virtue, there is nothing that can not be done.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 59
Summary
The sage seeks harmony by finding contentment. They avoid desire, praise, or accumulating knowledge. Instead they focus on simplicity and moderation which protects and provides longevity. The sage finds contentment through compassion and the more they help others the more fulfilled they are. A leader can bring contentment to others by promoting peace and avoiding violence.
“She who follows the way of the Dao will draw the world to her steps. She can go without fear of being injured, because she has found peace and tranquility in her heart. Where there is music and good food, people will stop to enjoy it. But words spoken of the Dao seem to them boring and stale. When looked at, there is nothing for them to see. When listened for, there is nothing for them to hear. Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 35
Resource:
Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. McDonald, 1996.
