non-action; effortless action; Daoist philosophy
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to let things take their own course; to govern by non-interference
formalA core concept in Daoism (Dao De Jing, Chapter 3), often translated as 'non-action' or 'effortless action.' It describes a ruler who governs without imposing arbitrary laws, allowing society to flourish naturally. Not to be confused with 碌碌无为 (mediocre and unaccomplished).
Dào道
jiā家
zhǔ主
zhāng张
wú无
wéi为
ér而
zhì治
。
Daoism advocates governing through non-interference.
Tā他
chóng崇
shàng尚
wú无
wéi为
de的
shēng生
huó活
tài态
dù度
，
cóng从
bù不
qiǎng强
qiú求
。
He admires a lifestyle of effortless action and never forces things.
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Wú无
wéi为
bù不
shì是
wú无
suǒ所
zuò作
wéi为
，
ér而
shì是
shùn顺
yìng应
zì自
rán然
guī规
lǜ律
。
Wu wei is not doing nothing, but rather conforming to the natural order.
Zuì最
hǎo好
de的
lǐng领
dǎo导
zhě者
shí实
xíng行
wú无
wéi为
ér而
zhì治
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
què却
gǎn感
jué觉
bù不
dào到
tā他
de的
cún存
zài在
。
The best leader governs through non-action, yet the people barely feel his existence.