The Four Great Riches of Life: Maintaining Inner Peace in an Impermanent World

Have you ever felt yourself rushing into an endless race, where the material finish line always seems just a little further out of reach? In the hurried pace of the modern era, people are easily swept up in the pursuit of fame and fortune, forgetting to listen to the quiet call from within. As night falls, in the lonely silence, we suddenly realize that we are missing something fundamentally essential.

True richness is not about bank accounts or piles of luxury goods, but about the state of tranquility and self-reliance of the soul. As taught in Buddhist scriptures: “Vô tật đệ nhất lợi, Tri túc đệ nhị phú, Thiện hữu đệ nhất hậu, Vô vi đệ nhất an” (No illness is the first benefit, knowing contentment is the second richness, good friends are the greatest bounty, non-action/non-striving is the utmost peace). These sixteen words are the key to unlocking the genuine prosperity of life. These four pillars—Inner Peace, Health, Contentment (Knowing Enough), and Good Companions—form the firm foundation for us to face all the vicissitudes of the impermanent world.

1. The Peace of Mind (An Lành Chi Tâm): The Most Enduring Wealth

Among the four great riches, inner peace, or a serene soul, is the core. This world is inherently a sea of suffering, a continuous flow of change. Everything we try to hold onto—from money and power to beauty and health—is temporary, bound to vanish according to the law of impermanence. Only a steadfast inner self, uninfluenced by external circumstances, is the asset that will never be lost.

A person with a peaceful mind is one who accepts the natural operation of life: “Life and death are fated; wealth and honor are determined by heaven.” They understand that some things are beyond their control; instead of worrying or complaining, they choose to face them with calmness. This serenity comes from self-cultivation, from practicing meditation, mindfulness, or simply spending quality time engaging in a dialogue with oneself.

Ancient Vietnamese wisdom often advises on the attitude of an bần (peace in poverty): “An bần lạc đạo” (Finding joy in the Way despite simple living). This does not mean accepting poverty and not striving, but that regardless of the circumstances, a noble person maintains joy in cultivating morality and character. When the heart is at peace, all external storms become mere ripples.

2. Physical Health (Thân Thể Khang An): The Foundation of All Possibilities

Without health, all assets and reputation become meaningless. “No illness is the first benefit” is the primary and greatest gain. The body is the soul’s most loyal dwelling, the only vehicle that carries us throughout life’s journey.

Yet, in the frantic pursuit of “success,” we readily “sell short” our health. Sleepless nights, rushed meals, endless stress… all are costly trade-offs for external values. Only when illness knocks on the door do we realize with horror that we have lost the most precious capital.

Our ancestors summarized it simply but profoundly: “Sức khỏe là vàng” (Health is gold). This phrase has become a timeless truth. Protecting one’s health is not just about exercising or eating healthy, but also about learning to manage energy, control stress, and ensure the spirit is always rested. The healthy person has a thousand dreams; the sick person has only one.

3. Knowing Contentment (Tri Túc Thường Lạc): The Key to Happiness

“Knowing contentment is the second richness.” This is a concept often misunderstood as stagnation or a lack of ambition. On the contrary, Tri Túc (knowing enough) is a delicate art of living, a clear recognition of what is “fundamental” and what is a “branch” of life.

The human mind is like a bottomless bucket. Greed and desire are like a spoon scooping up saltwater; the more you drink, the thirstier you become. True richness does not lie in the account balance, but in the balance between our desires and what we currently possess. The person who knows contentment finds joy in simple things, learning to cherish what they own instead of chasing what they lack.

Ancient Vietnamese wisdom teaches: “Một miếng khi đói bằng một gói khi no” (A piece when hungry is worth a package when full). The lesson here is not just about sharing, but also about appreciating present value. Satisfaction does not come from acquiring more, but from realizing that what we have is already enough for a meaningful life. Contentment helps us escape the bond of the consumption cycle and enjoy freedom in the soul.

4. Good Companionship (Thiện Hữu Đồng Hành): An Invaluable Spiritual Asset

“Good friends are the greatest bounty.” In life, friends are the mirror reflecting our soul, an endless source of motivation. They are not just people who share joy but also a place where we can unload burdens in times of difficulty.

A good relationship is built on trust, respect, and sincerity. These are the people who accept us for who we truly are, willing to offer honest feedback without causing harm. Having a soulmate, we feel less alone on this challenging journey.

Vietnamese people highly value friendship, expressed through the saying: “Giàu vì bạn, sang vì vợ” (Wealthy through friends, noble through wife). While often understood materially (prospering thanks to business partners), the deeper meaning is about spiritual support, the network of relationships, and the positive influence of those around us on our career and character. Good companions help us grow, illuminating the hidden corners we haven’t seen.

5. The Wisdom of Non-Striving (Vô Vi Chi Trí): Wisdom that Follows Nature

“Non-action/non-striving is the utmost peace.” The Daoist concept of Vô Vi does not mean sitting still and doing nothing, but a profound wisdom about acting without compulsion, striving without attachment to the outcome. It is the clarity to distinguish: what can be changed by our effort, and what we must learn to accept.

When we try to control everything, we create stress and fatigue. The wisdom of Vô Vi helps us let go of unrealistic expectations, obsessions about the past, and anxiety about the future. It helps us live in the present, acting according to the natural Way, like water flowing according to the shape of its container while still reaching the ocean.

The Vietnamese spirit of “Thuận nước đẩy thuyền” (Going with the flow to push the boat) is an expression of Vô Vi wisdom. We strive to row, but we must also lean into the current, following the natural laws. When we no longer force things, no longer try to bend the unbendable, our soul finds profound liberation and peace.

These four great riches are not goals to be found in a distant place, but precious gems lying deep within our daily lives: a good night’s sleep, a word of “I’ve had enough” after a meal, a sincere phone call with an old friend, or simply a moment to take a deep breath and accept reality.

The true value of life does not lie in what we can measure with money, but in the moments we truly feel peaceful and appreciate what we have.

I wish you, on this ever-changing journey of life, to always maintain a fertile inner ground, where the Four Great Riches can sprout and flourish.