Lin Yu Tang's 'The Importance of Living' is a classic that has left an indelible impression on many readers. This Chinese writer's philosophy of life emphasizes the importance of enjoying life with discrimination, passion, and detachment. He argues that the ideal life is one that finds a balance between excessive ambition and unacceptable passivity.
The book is a collection of humorous and wise essays that explore various aspects of life, including the importance of loafing, the enjoyment of nature and culture, and the art of growing old gracefully. Lin Yu Tang's contrarian viewpoint is a refreshing change from the obsession with wealth, fame, and power that pervades modern society.
He quotes the great Taoist philosopher Tao, who resigned a coveted government job to return to his native place and tend to his garden, saying 'Why not take life as it comes, and why hustle and bustle like one on an errand bound? Wealth and power are not my ambitions, and unattainable is the abode of the gods!'
Lin Yu Tang's philosophy is summed up in the ancient Chinese thinker Li Mian's 'The Half and Half Song', which advises living halfway between the town and land, being half a scholar and half a squire, and having a house that's half genteel and half plain.
The book is a must-read for anyone looking to restore sanity, wisdom, and humour in their life. It's never too late to change your life and learn to enjoy it while it lasts.
