author
active 4th century B.C. Liezi
A shadowy figure from early Daoist tradition, he is remembered as the name behind the Liezi, a classic of stories and reflections about freedom, spontaneity, and living in harmony with the Way. Scholars have long debated whether he was a historical person, which only adds to the mystery surrounding his legacy.
1 Audiobook
列子
by active 4th century B.C. Liezi
About the author
Tradition places him in ancient China as a Daoist thinker active around the 4th century BCE. He is commonly identified with Lie Yukou, the presumed author of the Liezi, one of the classic texts associated with early Daoist philosophy.
The work linked to his name is known for vivid parables, practical wisdom, and a lively, accessible style. Alongside the Laozi and Zhuangzi, it became part of the core Daoist literary tradition and helped shape later ideas about simplicity, naturalness, and inner freedom.
At the same time, modern scholars often note that the Liezi in its current form was probably compiled much later than the lifetime traditionally assigned to him. Because of that, he stands at the border of history and legend: an influential philosophical voice, even if the details of his life remain uncertain.