---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do…"
description: "\"Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg"
---

#  Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth…

![“Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg)

> “Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.”

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The sage lives beyond worldly concerns, remaining detached and selfless, which leads to true fulfillment.

**In simple terms:** Detachment and selflessness bring lasting fulfillment.

Key Takeaway

Embrace selfless action and stay detached.

Themes

detachment selflessness fulfillment wisdom

Mood

calm reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- leadership
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

Daoism non-attachment inner peace

Questions to Reflect On

- How can detachment help in modern life?
- What does fulfillment mean to you?

A Different Perspective

Selfless action alone may not solve external challenges.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Fulfillment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfillment/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) [Selfless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfless/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/)

## Related quotes

> [God wanted to make heaven and the earth is that heaven. Nowhere in the universe there is so much love, life, beauty and peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/god-wanted-to-make-heaven-and-the-earth-is-that-heaven-nowhere-in-the/)

[Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/)

> [And earth was heaven a little the worse for wear. And heaven was earth, done up again to look like new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/and-earth-was-heaven-a-little-the-worse-for-wear-and-heaven-was-earth/)

[Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/)

> [“I can see only three planets in the entire universe, namely Heaven, Earth and Me! Heaven shines its glory on Earth and the rays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/i-can-see-only-three-planets-in-the-entire-universe-namely-heaven/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [“Heaven is within you. But heaven is for you to find here in this lifetime - not when your body dies. You are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/heaven-is-within-you-but-heaven-is-for-you-to-find-here-in-this/)

[Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/)

> [I have found heaven on earth, since heaven is God, and God is in my soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-of-the-trinity/i-have-found-heaven-on-earth-since-heaven-is-god-and-god-is-in-my-soul/)

[Elizabeth of the Trinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-of-the-trinity/)

> [Nothing is farther than earth from heaven; nothing is nearer than heaven to earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-hare/nothing-is-farther-than-earth-from-heaven-nothing-is-nearer-than/)

[Augustus Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-hare/)

> [There is indeed a heaven on this earth, a heaven which we inhabit when we read a good book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/there-is-indeed-a-heaven-on-this-earth-a-heaven-which-we-inhabit-when/)

[Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/)

> [“On earth, lots of wills are done. Yours, mine, and many others. And so, at present, heaven and earth are not one. What Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/on-earth-lots-of-wills-are-done-yours-mine-and-many-others-and-so-at/)

[Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/)

> [Nothing is further than earth from heaven, and nothing is nearer than heaven to earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hare/nothing-is-further-than-earth-from-heaven-and-nothing-is-nearer-than/)

[David Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hare/)

> [Great little One! whose all-embracing birth Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-crashaw/great-little-one-whose-all-embracing-birth-lifts-earth-to-heaven/)

[Richard Crashaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-crashaw/)

> [“Why do I love this place so much? Is it because here human nature hasn't time to disguise itself? Nobody here could talk about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/why-do-i-love-this-place-so-much-is-it-because-here-human-nature-hasn/)

[Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/)

> [“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scotty-smith/then-i-saw-a-new-heaven-and-a-new-earth-for-the-first-heaven-and-the/)

[Scotty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scotty-smith/)

> [“Nobody here could ever talk about a heaven on earth. Heaven remained rigidly in its proper place on the other side of death, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/nobody-here-could-ever-talk-about-a-heaven-on-earth-heaven-remained/)

[Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/)

> [“The spirit of life relates to what has been described by the word “heaven”; the phenomenal world around us to what is described by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-cecil/the-spirit-of-life-relates-to-what-has-been-described-by-the-word/)

Martin Cecil

> [The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-infinite-eternal-why-is-it-eternal-it-was-never-born-thus/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## More by Laozi

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

[Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Laozi"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/laozi-147_action_heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-he_2388194.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Heaven and Earth last for ever. Why do Heaven and Earth last for ever? They are unborn, so ever living. The…” — Laozi",
                "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": "Laozi",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Heaven and Earth last for ever....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever-why-do-heaven-and-earth-last-for-ever/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
