Toa

The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself
and don't compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.



What is the Tao? The word describes an ancient Chinese concept that can be translated as “way” but in reality the Tao is much more profound. It is a philosophy built on the belief that our world is governed by certain unalterable truths. C.S. Lewis defined it this way:

It is the doctrine of objective value, the belief
that certain attitudes are really true, and others
are really false... This thing which I have called
for convenience the Tao, and which others may
call Natural Law, or Traditional Morality, …is
not one among a series of possible systems of
value. It is the sole source of all value judgments.
(C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man)