He states, "Let us strive and labor while yet we may To do some deed that men will praise." This clearly demonstrates the fact that Confucianists do not believe in reincarnation. Also, in his Poem on Returning to Dwell in the Country, T"ao Ch"ien writes, "In the same world men lead different lives; Some at the court, some in the marketplace." These lines illustrate that for every man there is a place in an organized Confucian society.

             Taoism, along with Confucianism, is one of the most ancient ideas in Chinese philosophy. The first known Taoist master was the ancient figure Lao Tzu. Perplexed by Chinese politics in his day, Lao Tzu planned to leave Chinese society for the wilderness of western China. But, before he could do this, he was stopped by a man who asked him to write down all of his ideas and beliefs. The result was the Tao Te Ching, or the Book of the Virtue of the Way. The book set forth the basic ideas of Taoism; that is, following the Tao, or the Way. The main goal of Taoists was to live in harmony with the natural world around them, and to rid themselves of materialistic desires. The primary concern for Taoists like Lao Tzu was to understand the way of the world, and to use that knowledge for self-preservation. .

             One of the greatest poets in Chinese history to demonstrate Taoism in his poetry was Tu Fu. One example can be found in the poem that he Sent to Li Po as a Gift. At the end of the poem, he closes his message to Li Po this way, "Your days pass in emptiness, Your nature is a spreading fire, It is swift and strenuous. But what does all this bravery amount to?" This shows a Taoist idea that man should not put too much effort into life, and should simply follow where fate leads. Tu Fu is telling his friend that he lives in simplicity, yet he lives in excess of those simple things; something that Taoist should not do. Loneliness is another poem where Tu Fu shows his Taoist beliefs.