--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One's own self or material goods, which…" description: "\"One's own self or material goods, which has more worth? Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil? He who loves most, spends m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/laozi-147_evil_one-s-own-self-or-material-goods-which-h_2210434.jpg" --- # One's own self or material goods, which has more worth?… ![“One's own self or material goods, which has more worth? Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil? He who loves most, spends most, He who hoards much loses much” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/laozi-147_evil_one-s-own-self-or-material-goods-which-h_2210434.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/laozi-147_evil_one-s-own-self-or-material-goods-which-h_2210434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f82/laozi-147_evil_one-s-own-self-or-material-goods-which-h_2210434.jpg) > “One's own self or material goods, which has more worth? Loss (of self) or possession (of goods), which is the greater evil? He who loves most, spends most, He who hoards much loses much” [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. It questions whether inner virtue or external wealth is more valuable, and whether losing oneself or losing possessions is the greater harm. **In simple terms:** Self‑worth vs material worth; loss of self is worse than loss of goods. Key Takeaway Prioritize inner growth over material accumulation. Themes values materialism self‑knowledge balance Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal development - financial planning - spiritual practice - relationship building Key Concepts Taoist philosophy ethical dilemma Questions to Reflect On - What do you value more: inner character or external success? - How does hoarding affect personal freedom? A Different Perspective Material focus can blind one to deeper loss of self. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Goods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goods/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Loss Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss-self-624386/) [Materials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materials/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Possession Goods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession-goods-4412827/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-possession-524482/) [Uplifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uplifting/) ## Related quotes > [The shortage of buyers, which the world is suffering from, is readily understood, not as due to people not wishing to obtain possession of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dirac/the-shortage-of-buyers-which-the-world-is-suffering-from-is-readily/) [Paul Dirac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dirac/) > [Wealth does not teach us to transcend the desire for wealth. 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"You must write for me, or break your word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/you-gave-me-your-promise-was-the-reply-spoken-with-the-same-immovable/) [Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/) > [self-possession is the ability to face without fear life in all its contradictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-gornick/self-possession-is-the-ability-to-face-without-fear-life-in-all-its/) [Vivian Gornick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-gornick/) > [“Renee's self-possession, her ability to possess other selves, is a measure of the weakness of her husband, his inability to stop his own self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/renee-s-self-possession-her-ability-to-possess-other-selves-is-a/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) > [The sunset glow of self-possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/the-sunset-glow-of-self-possession/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) > [We must become masters of our own actions and attitudes. To let another person determine whether we will be rude or gracious, elated or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/we-must-become-masters-of-our-own-actions-and-attitudes-to-let/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“In so doing, I resisted the descent into what the school counselors called low self-esteem. Self-esteem is the dark, distorted shadow of self-possession. Self-esteem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-swallow-prior/in-so-doing-i-resisted-the-descent-into-what-the-school-counselors/) [Karen Swallow Prior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-swallow-prior/) ## 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. 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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 Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [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/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. 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