The Taoist ideal, the good life, is a community living a natural, harmonious, simple life without the pressures of war and competition. Contented individuals, simple, whole and alert possess the necessary leisure to engage in a life of harmony with others and with nature. Other personal traits within the tradition include reverent humility, and an avoidance of strident, aggressive behavior with others and nature. Selflessness, cleanliness and emotional calm characterize the fulfilled individual. World religion scholar Huston Smith describes implications of the way Taoism seeks attunement with nature.
Nature is to be befriended rather than conquered.
Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will never, I notice, succeed. The earth is like a vessel so sacred that at the mere approach of the profane it is marred and when they reach out their fingers it is gone. Women in Taoist Thought Taoist Trends. With its emphasis upon natural simplicity, infinite potential and distaste for confining rules, limiting regulations and excessive laws, Taoism may seem to advocate little more than a mindless submissiveness and lack of involvement in societal issues. Today, most Taoist priests consider Chang Tao-ling as their main inspiration.