--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Favour and disgrace would seem equally to…" description: "\"“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared;”\" — Lao Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg" --- # Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; ![“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared;” quote by Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg) > ““Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared;”” [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Both favor and disgrace can be equally feared, suggesting that fear of reputation can dominate behavior. **In simple terms:** Fear of favor and disgrace can be equal. Key Takeaway Manage fear of judgment. Themes fear reputation balance Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical wisdom When to use this quote - career decisions - public speaking - relationship management Key Concepts ego social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What fears limit you? - How can you cultivate inner confidence? A Different Perspective Fear may paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disgrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace/) [Disgrace Equally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace-equally-5201285/) [Equally Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equally-feared-5201284/) [Favour Disgrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favour-disgrace-4635093/) [Feared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feared/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) ## Related quotes > [“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; honour and great calamity, to be regarded as personal conditions (of the same kind).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-to-be-feared-honour-and-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The getting that (favour) leads to the apprehension (of losing it), and the losing it leads to the fear of (still greater calamity):—this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-getting-that-favour-leads-to-the-apprehension-of-losing-it-and/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/in-the-next-they-feared-them-in-the-next-they-despised-them/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [He will be the last to discover the disgrace of his house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/he-will-be-the-last-to-discover-the-disgrace-of-his-house/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Losing is no disgrace if you've given your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-palmer/losing-is-no-disgrace-if-you-ve-given-your-best/) [Jim Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-palmer/) > [Poverty of course is no disgrace, but it is damned annoying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt/poverty-of-course-is-no-disgrace-but-it-is-damned-annoying/) [William Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt/) > [There is but a step between a proud man's glory and his disgrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/there-is-but-a-step-between-a-proud-man-s-glory-and-his-disgrace/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [To those whose God is honor; only disgrace is a sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hare/to-those-whose-god-is-honor-only-disgrace-is-a-sin/) [David Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hare/) > [Poverty is no disgrace to a man, but it is confoundedly inconvenient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-smith/poverty-is-no-disgrace-to-a-man-but-it-is-confoundedly-inconvenient/) [Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-smith/) > [All lies, white or black, disgrace a gentleman, although I grant there is a difference: to say the least of it, it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-marryat/all-lies-white-or-black-disgrace-a-gentleman-although-i-grant-there/) [Frederick Marryat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-marryat/) > [“a little modesty averts disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bemy-wells/a-little-modesty-averts-disgrace/) [Bemy Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bemy-wells/) > [There is no disgrace in peace. There can never be dishonor in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-llywelyn/there-is-no-disgrace-in-peace-there-can-never-be-dishonor-in-peace/) [Morgan Llywelyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-llywelyn/) > [I had the feeling that if I encountered anyone they would intuit my disgrace and would judge me instantly. Nothing is more isolating than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-powers/i-had-the-feeling-that-if-i-encountered-anyone-they-would-intuit-my/) [Kevin Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-powers/) > [Sometimes one must try anything, it is no disgrace. On the contrary, it is a sign of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/sometimes-one-must-try-anything-it-is-no-disgrace-on-the-contrary-it/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) ## More by Lao Tzu > [“This is how they are able to continue and endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-how-they-are-able-to-continue-and-endure/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Gravity is the root of lightness;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/gravity-is-the-root-of-lightness/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Therefore the Tao is great;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/therefore-the-tao-is-great/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/not-seeking-not-expecting-she-is-present-and-can-welcome-all-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“What all men fear is indeed to be feared;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/what-all-men-fear-is-indeed-to-be-feared/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Just remain in the center; watching. And then forget that you are there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/just-remain-in-the-center-watching-and-then-forget-that-you-are-there/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/this-is-what-is-called-the-mysterious-quality-of-the-tao/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you show yourself, you will not be seen. If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. If you boast, you will have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-show-yourself-you-will-not-be-seen-if-you-affirm-yourself-you/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-thirty-spokes-unite-in-the-one-nave-but-it-is-on-the-empty-space/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“To know and yet (think) we do not know is the highest (attainment); not to know (and yet think) we do know is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/to-know-and-yet-think-we-do-not-know-is-the-highest-attainment-not-to/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious, you are living in the present; if you are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-you-are-depressed-you-are-living-in-the-past-if-you-are-anxious/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-without-a-name-is-free-from-all-external-aim-with-no/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/when-gold-and-jade-fill-the-hall-their-possessor-cannot-keep-them-safe/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the Inaudible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/we-listen-to-it-and-we-do-not-hear-it-and-we-name-it-the-inaudible/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) [Explore all 434 Lao Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) ## More Disgrace quotes > [To what will love not stoop!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/to-what-will-love-not-stoop/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [We will live to see the day that St. Patrick's Cathedral is a child-care center and the pope is no longer a disgrace to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/we-will-live-to-see-the-day-that-st-patrick-s-cathedral-is-a-child/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Without ... the creative imagination rushing in where bureaucratic angels fear to tread - without this, life is a mockery and a disgrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/without-the-creative-imagination-rushing-in-where-bureaucratic-angels/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [Success in war was the only success that counted; failure was a disgrace to be wiped out only by starting another war and winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-holland/success-in-war-was-the-only-success-that-counted-failure-was-a/) [Barbara Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-holland/) > [“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/america-is-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-but-its-people-are-mainly/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Miss Wormwood: Calvin, your test was an absolute disgrace! It's obvious you haven't read any of the material. Our first president was not Chef…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/miss-wormwood-calvin-your-test-was-an-absolute-disgrace-it-s-obvious/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [Losing is no disgrace if you've given your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-palmer/losing-is-no-disgrace-if-you-ve-given-your-best/) [Jim Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-palmer/) > [My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/my-trust-in-god-flows-out-of-the-experience-of-his-loving-me-day-in/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [The people who illegally cross into the country are from countries that have very close ties to al Qaeda, whether it's Yemen or Afghanistan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/the-people-who-illegally-cross-into-the-country-are-from-countries/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/new-york-state-is-upside-down-and-backwards-high-taxes-and-low/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [Putting your child into a beauty pageant is a disgrace...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/putting-your-child-into-a-beauty-pageant-is-a-disgrace/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To him who disgraces his family life is no life, and to such a person there is no one a friend, neither while living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/to-him-who-disgraces-his-family-life-is-no-life-and-to-such-a-person/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The disgrace is not in falling, but in not rising every time you fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/the-disgrace-is-not-in-falling-but-in-not-rising-every-time-you-fall/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) > [Poverty of course is no disgrace, but it is damned annoying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt/poverty-of-course-is-no-disgrace-but-it-is-damned-annoying/) [William Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt/) > [“a little modesty averts disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bemy-wells/a-little-modesty-averts-disgrace/) [Bemy Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bemy-wells/) [Browse all 459 Disgrace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared;”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lao Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-to-be-feared/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disgrace" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-to-be-feared/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/lao-tzu-624_disgrace_favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-t_796723.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared;” — Lao Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lao Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Favour and disgrace would seem equally...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-to-be-feared/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/favour-and-disgrace-would-seem-equally-to-be-feared/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```