active 4th century B.C. Liezi

Tradition describes him as a Chinese philosopher of the Warring States period, often placed around the 5th or 4th century BCE, and as the figure behind the Daoist work now known as the Liezi. He is often grouped with Laozi and Zhuangzi as an important name in early Daoist thought.

At the same time, modern scholarship is cautious. Reliable reference sources note that while the text is attributed to him, the version that survives today was likely compiled much later, probably around the 4th century CE. That means the historical Liezi may have been a real thinker, a partly legendary one, or a name later attached to teachings and stories that grew over time.

That uncertainty is part of what makes Liezi so interesting. The book is remembered for vivid anecdotes, thought experiments, and reflections on spontaneity, perspective, fate, and the natural way of living, giving it a lively, approachable voice that still feels fresh today.