Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the intrinsic value of one's identity and physical existence over material wealth.
Laozi's quote invites us to reflect on the importance of our true essence compared to our possessions and physical attributes. It suggests that our name, which symbolizes our identity, and our body, which houses our spirit, hold greater significance than wealth, prompting us to prioritize our true self over material pursuits.
In practice
In a discussion about priorities in life, you might quote Laozi to highlight the importance of self over material goods.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
The world is for thousands a freak show; the images flicker past and vanish; the impressions remain flat and unconnected in the soul. Thus they are easily led by the opinions of others, are content to let their impressions be shuffled and rearranged and evaluated differently.
To be radical is to grasp things by the root.
The goal of fasting is inner unity.
Energy functioning in a pattern becomes matter. That is all life is... Matter and energy are interrelated.
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.
The best of America drifts to Paris. The American in Paris is the best American. It is more fun for an intelligent person to live in an intelligent country. France has the only two things toward which we drift as we grow older—intelligence and good manners.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.