Liezi Quotes on Death
Liezi, also known as Lie Yukou, was a Chinese Taoist philosopher of the fifth century BC, traditionally regarded as one of the three foundational thinkers of philosophical Taoism alongside Lao Tzu and Zhuangzi. This page collects quotes attributed to Liezi on the topic of death, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Liezi:
“He who has no concern for life and death, what can move him?”
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“Many people sweat and toil and feel satisfied that they have accomplished many things. However, in the end we are not all that different from this polished piece of bone. In a hundred years, everyone we know will be just a pile of bones. What is there to gain in life, and what is there to lose in death?”
Wikiquote -
“When we are rich and famous and powerful, we do not want to die. On the other hand, if we are miserable and suffering, we want to die and leave it all. But can joy or misery last forever?”
Passage 70:The King Who Wanted to Live Forever -
“Life and death will come of their own. Why be greedy about life and afraid of death?”
Passage 70:The King Who Wanted to Live Forever -
“Someone asked Yang Zhu, "What do you think of people who pray for immortality?" Yang Zhu replied, "Everyone must die sometime. Praying won’t help."”
Passage 79:Everyone Must Die Sometime -
“When you live, you should accept life and let it run its course. When you die, you should accept death and go to it peacefully.”
Passage 79:Everyone Must Die Sometime -
“Life and death come by themselves. We should let them run their course and not try to speed or delay them.”
Passage 79:Everyone Must Die Sometime -
“If heaven does not know, how can mortals know? If heaven does not bless you, crying won’t help. If we all weep together, Will it lengthen life and chase away death? Even doctors and shamans arc not miracle workers.”
Passage 66:The Three Doctors -
“When you die, you’ll leave everything. What’s the use of planning for things that happen afterward?”
Passage 72:A Name is Nothing and Titles are Empty