Quote by Liezi: “He who is without a self has no wants, and he who has no wants has no fears.”

This idea suggests that desires arise from a strong sense of self, and by letting go of that ego, one can eliminate desires. Without desires, the reasons for fear disappear, leading to true inner peace and freedom from anxiety.

In an era marked by constant conflict and personal ambition among feudal lords, Liezi presented a philosophy that advocated for transcending personal desires and fears, offering a spiritual refuge from worldly anxieties.

Taoist philosopher traditionally said to have lived around 400 BCE in the state of Zheng during the Warring States period in China. The text attributed to him, the Liezi, is one of the three foundational texts of philosophical Taoism alongside the Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi. Scholars debate whether he was a historical figure or a literary construct.