To address the extravagance in social mores and in the style of writing of his

time, Laozi advocated simple and natural lifestyles and literary presentations.

During the Wei and Jin dynasties, men of letters valued natural and simple

literary styles and were opposed to extravagant and superficial styles. This

line of thought led to the emergence of great poets like Tao Yuanming, and

shaped literary writings to reflect direct thoughts and natural expressions.

Subsequently, ancient Chinese literature and art took simplicity and naturalness

as the highest aesthetic standards.