Editing Wisdom (section)

====In Taoist philosophy====
{{main|Taoist philosophy}}
[[File:Bagua Zhao Huiqian.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|''Bagua'' diagram from Zhao Huiqian's ({{lang|zh|趙撝謙}}) ''Liushu benyi'' ({{lang|zh|六書本義}}, {{circa|1370s}})]]

Taoist views of wisdom (''[[wu wei]]'', 無為) emphasizes effortless action, aligning with the natural flow of the universe (''[[Tao]]''). While early Confucianism values social harmony and structured virtue, Taoist wisdom often embraces paradox and non-conformity. The ''[[Zhuangzi (book)|Zhuangzi]]'' text, attributed to [[Zhuang Zhou]] (c. 4th century BCE), presents wisdom as a state of effortless flow (''wu wei''), where one aligns with the spontaneous patterns of nature rather than imposing human will.<ref>{{cite book |last=Zhuangzi |title=Zhuangzi: Basic Writings |orig-year=4th century BCE |year=2003 |publisher=Columbia University Press}}</ref> This contrasts with Confucian ideals of ritual and duty, as Taoist wisdom values freedom from rigid thinking and acceptance of change.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mair |first=Victor H. |title=Wandering on the Way: Early Taoist Tales and Parables of Zhuangzi |year=1998 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press}}</ref>

Taoist wisdom also includes cosmological insight, recognizing that all things emerge from the ''[[Tao]]'' (道), the fundamental force of existence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kirkland |first=Russell |title=Taoism: The Enduring Tradition |year=2004 |publisher=Routledge}}</ref> In ''[[Tao Te Ching]]'' (道德經), attributed to [[Laozi]] (6th century BCE), wisdom is described as yielding like water, able to overcome obstacles through gentleness rather than force.<ref name="Laozi-2006">{{cite book |last=Laozi |title=Tao Te Ching |orig-year=4th century BCE |year=2006 |publisher=Hackett Publishing}}</ref> This perspective aligns with Taoist ethics, which discourage aggression and rigid control, instead promoting a harmonious existence in sync with nature’s rhythms.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ames |first=Roger T. |title=Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation |year=2003 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0345444196}}</ref> He also describes wisdom as understanding the balance of opposites ([[Yin and yang|Yin and Yang]]) and acting in harmony with nature rather than imposing force.<ref name="Laozi-2006"/>

Unlike Western views, Taoist wisdom often involves paradox and non-action, valuing spontaneity over rigid rules. Taoist sages are often depicted as detached from worldly concerns, seeking a deeper, wordless understanding of existence that transcends conventional logic.<ref>{{cite book |last=Robinet |first=Isabelle |title=Taoism: Growth of a Religion |year=1997 |publisher=Stanford University Press}}</ref>