This quote describes an ideal person who lives authentically, free from the extremes of excessive pride or false modesty. Such an individual simply acts in harmony with their true nature and the flow of life, embodying genuine simplicity and ease.
Quote by Liezi: “The superior man is never proud, never humble, but always natural and spontaneous.”
The superior man is never proud, never humble, but always natural and spontaneous.
Insight
Historical Context
Amidst various schools of thought defining ideal conduct in ancient China, Liezi's Taoist perspective emphasized a natural, unforced way of being that contrasted with the more rigid social and moral codes of Confucianism.
About the Author
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.
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