7 best phrases from the Tao to guarantee a good life

The phrases of the Tao indicate the best life path, which is the one that leads to inner peace through personal growth.

Most of the phrases of the Tao aim to point out some principles for a good life.. That is why we understand a full existence for those who live it and a beneficial one for others. That is precisely what the Tao is, a catalog of teachings for raise our passage through the world.

The word Tao can be translated as ‘way’, ‘doctrine’ or ‘method’ . It is present in several currents of Eastern thought, such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Zen. It seeks to illustrate the natural order of things and the harmonious functioning of the universe.

Many phrases of the Tao can be hermetic or difficult to understand . Others are very direct and clear.. In both cases, what stands out is the purpose of condensing wisdom into maxims that are applicable to the daily life of any person. These are some of the most remembered affirmations of the Tao.

“All human vices are due to lack of knowledge. It is knowledge that will show people that, for their own good, it is better to be simple and kind, moderate earthly desires and free oneself from harmful passions.”.

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1. The accumulation

This is one of many phrases of the Tao that call for detachment and independence from the material. Says the following: “The man wise does not accumulate. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself. The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself.”.

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It means that that trend of accumulating selfishly has only one destiny: impoverishment. We can concentrate a large amount of goods, but what is truly enriching is being able to share them with others; use them to support the growth of others.

2. One of the most remembered phrases of the Tao

This is perhaps the phrase of the Tao that has become most popular and that has been repeated the most in all latitudes. He says like this: “If you give fish to a hungry man, you nourish him for a day. If you teach him to fish, you will nourish him all his life”.

It means that the ideal is not to fill the needs of those who are in a state of need. The truly transcendent is to show you the way so that he himself can obtain or achieve what he needs or requires.

3. Water and Tao

There are many phrases from the Tao that establish a simile between the main values of life and the teachings of nature. Taoists are convinced that nature has a perfect balance from which we can all learn.

This is clearly expressed in the following statement: “The water is soft and docile. But it undermines and corrodes the hard. In the face of hardship, she has no equals. The soft and the tender defeat the hard and the coarse”. In other words, what is apparently more fragile can ultimately be more powerful than what is supposedly stronger.

4. The three treasures

One of the phrases of the Tao states: “Here are my three treasures. Keep them well. The first is piety; the second, frugality; the third, the refusal to be first of all things under heaven”.

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In this case, the Tao uses the word “pity” in its meaning of “compassion.” This means that The three great virtues lie in being compassionate, generous and humble. These three virtues are also highlighted in almost all philosophical currents in the world.

5. About moderation

Balance in the lives of human beings has to do with moderation. It is not about avoiding things, but about knowing how to give them their right value and their right place.. Depriving or overdoing something is what breaks that balance. And the latter is what ensures harmony.

The Tao indicates: “You accumulate a lot, you will lose a lot. Know the measure and you will avoid failures. Know the limits and there will be no risk. This way you will spend your life in peace, without anxiety!”. It means precisely that it is excesses that lead to losing inner peace.

6. Useless fidelities

This is one of the great teachings of Tao: “Stop being faithful to the things to which you are attached and you will be free from grief and self-pity!”. What is most interesting about this statement is the fact that he associates grief and self-pity with attachment.

The statement means that dependence makes us blind followers of the entity of dependence: whether it is an object, a person or a circumstance. This leads us to fear loss and, to that extent, leads us to feel lacking and conditioned. for what we depend on.

7. Conquer yourself

This is another of those great phrases of the Tao that is often quoted. He says: “He who can conquer enemies is strong. He who has conquered himself is powerful”.

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It means that the main errors, limits and problems that we must deal with are those that live within us. Being strong is not about defeating others, but about resolving the difficulties that limit us and the obstacles that are within us..

The Tao has existed for thousands of years. It has influenced philosophies and religions around the world.. Today, her main teachings are still valid and continue to be a guide to living with greater wisdom and balance.