Quiet Clarity is a 2x/week newsletter and podcast for people who want to build a life of presence, depth, and deliberate intention.
Recently, I’ve been fascinated by the Tao Te Ching.
Here’s a verse I found beautiful.
The five colors blind the eye.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavors dull the mouth.
Racing through the field and hunting make the mind wild.
Searching for precious goods leads astray.
Therefore, the sage attends to the belly,
And not to what he sees.
He rejects the latter and chooses the former.
The more colors, sounds, and flavors we chase, the less we actually feel them.
When we’re constantly seeking more pleasure—more excitement, more stuff, more experiences—we end up feeling empty and wanting even more.
It's like we’re never satisfied.
But when we slow down and appreciate simple things, that restless craving just fades away.
A basic meal tastes better when we’re truly present.
Quiet feels peaceful when we’re not drowning in noise.
Simple pleasures hit deeper when we’re not overstimulated.
The ancient text talks about sages caring for "the stomach and not the eyes"—focusing on real nourishment instead of flashy distractions.
There's wisdom in that.
Sometimes less really is more.
From My Father’s Voice
From My Mother’s Hand
