Figures of Taoism: Yao Silian 姚思廉

Yao Silian (557–637) was a historian and Taoist scholar of the Tang Dynasty. His courtesy name was Jianzhi, and he was from Wukang, Wuxing (now west of Deqing County, Zhejiang Province).

In the Chen Dynasty, he served as the chief clerk of Yangzhou; in the Sui Dynasty, he was a military advisor to the Prince of Han. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he became a scholar in the Literature Museum of the Qin royal residence，and eventually held the position of Cavalier-in-ordinary. He was granted the title of "Male of Fengcheng County". From a young age, he studied Han history under his father Yao Cha and was able to fully inherit the academic traditions of his family.

Philosophically, he leaned towards Taoism and adhered to Laozi's view that "he who knows contentment will not be disgraced; he who knows when to stop will not be endangered". He asserted, "Those who do not understand advancement and retreat, and fail to comprehend when to stop and be content, will face the troubles of disgrace and danger in a short period" (Book of Liang, Volume 5, Preface to the Biographies of Those Who Know When to Stop).

He criticized the tendency of only knowing how to advance but not retreat, and of being unwilling to stop in the face of disaster, defeat, and peril. He regarded hermits as models of being content and knowing when to stop, praising Zhang Liang of the Western Han Dynasty, who retired after achieving merit, Ruan Sikuang of the Jin Dynasty, who "abandoned glory and loved seclusion", and Liu Yan of the Southern Dynasties, a hermit who refused to enter officialdom, calling him "a man of noble Confucian conduct". He believed that Liu Yan "declined official salaries and cherished the Dao, lived in leisure to nurture his will, was not troubled by poverty, and did not covet wealth and honor" (ibid.).

From advocating contentment and knowing when to stop, he further praised various types of hermits, dividing them into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The upper-grade hermits valued the Dao more than their lives and disdained even emperors who ruled over the four seas: "They respectfully declined the throne, regarding the position of emperor as a disgrace, and would not regret even death" (Book of Liang, Volume 51, Preface to the Biographies of Hermits).

The middle-grade hermits, although living in the city or court, did not change their hermit nature: "They entrusted themselves to positions like gatekeepers or attendants, lived a simple life to pursue their aspirations, and remained unashamed even in humble circumstances" (ibid.).

The lower-grade hermits advocated following their nature and indulging freely, not bound by etiquette: "They went naked and feigned madness, lived in poverty and cut off ties with the world, abandoned ritual and music to return to the Dao, and ignored filial piety and kindness. This is a way to preserve one's life and avoid harm, attaining the essence of the Dao" (ibid.).

He believed that although hermits were divided into three types, all of them were worthy of affirmation because "they all attain the essence of speaking and silence, embodying the integrity and good fortune of recluses. How can they be compared with those who perish in troubled times, striving for profit and currying favor with the times!" (ibid.).

He regarded hermits as a positive force against the corrupt trends in feudal society, asserting, "It is only hermits who can promote purity, suppress corruption, restrain greed, and stop competition. Since ancient times, emperors have all respected and advocated their way" (ibid.).

In the sense of "restraining greed and stopping competition", he elevated the concepts of knowing when to stop and contentment, as well as the view of hermits, to the height of social and political historical perspectives.

His biographies can be found in Old Book of Tang (Volume 73) and New Book of Tang (Volume 12). He inherited his father's academic work and compiled Book of Liang (50 volumes) and Book of Chen (30 volumes).