--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Truly, only acting without thought of…" description: "\"Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8b/laozi-147_acting_truly-only-acting-without-thought-of-one_212142.jpg" --- # Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is… ![“Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8b/laozi-147_acting_truly-only-acting-without-thought-of-one_212142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8b/laozi-147_acting_truly-only-acting-without-thought-of-one_212142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8b/laozi-147_acting_truly-only-acting-without-thought-of-one_212142.jpg) > “Truly, only acting without thought of one's life is superior to valuing one's life.” [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. Acting without self-preservation is valued higher than protecting oneself. **In simple terms:** Selfless action outweighs self‑preservation. Key Takeaway Embrace self‑lessness. Themes selflessness philosophy ethics Mood contemplative philosophical Type wisdom inspirational When to use this quote - risk‑taking - heroic deeds - self‑sacrifice Key Concepts Taoism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - When is self‑preservation justified? - What are the costs of total self‑lessness? A Different Perspective Self‑preservation can be necessary for survival. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [When you can surprise yourself, you're truly acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-britton/when-you-can-surprise-yourself-you-re-truly-acting/) [Cameron Britton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-britton/) > [Man is a make-believe animal: he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/man-is-a-make-believe-animal-he-is-never-so-truly-himself-as-when-he/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [For someone who’s made it clear that her life is superior to every other student’s at this school, you sure make it a habit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/for-someone-who-s-made-it-clear-that-her-life-is-superior-to-every/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [“I am Deviant, but I too have a birthright. Life entitled to life, life superior to yours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-rix/i-am-deviant-but-i-too-have-a-birthright-life-entitled-to-life-life/) [Deborah Rix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-rix/) > [“You realize that you are not indispensable … And you learn that the lengthening of life is a superior goal over nearly everything else.''…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-woolley/you-realize-that-you-are-not-indispensable-and-you-learn-that-the/) [Scott Woolley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-woolley/) > [We are disappointed at the decision. 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I thought you had to be confident. I was confident with my friends, but I would never think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarita-choudhury/i-was-very-shy-about-acting-i-thought-you-had-to-be-confident-i-was/) [Sarita Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarita-choudhury/) ## 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? 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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 Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. 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