无为而治 wú wéi ér zhì Governing without action

Explanation

无为而治，并非真的无所作为，而是指统治者要遵循自然规律，以德化民，减少人为干预，让社会自然发展。

Governing without action does not mean to do nothing. Instead, it means that rulers should follow the laws of nature, lead the people by virtue, reduce artificial intervention, and let society develop naturally.

Origin Story

传说上古时期，尧帝年老，想禅位于贤能之士。经过考察，他选择了舜。舜继承了尧的治国理念，沿袭尧的政策，并没有大刀阔斧地改革，而是以身作则，勤政爱民，以德服人，使天下太平。他很少发布政令，而是通过自身的品德感化百姓，使社会风气纯正，百姓安居乐业。这就是历史上著名的“无为而治”的典范。舜的无为，并非不作为，而是因为他深知治理天下之道在于顺应自然，以德化民，使人心向善。

chuán shuō shànggǔ shíqī, yáo dì nián lǎo, xiǎng chán wèi xiánnéng zhī shì. jīngguò kǎochá, tā xuǎnzéle shùn. shùn jìchéngle yáo de zhìguó lǐniàn, yánxí yáo de zhèngcè, bìng méiyǒu dà dāokuòfǔ de gǎigé, érshì yǐ shēn zuòzé, qínzhèng àimín, yǐ dé fú rén, shǐ tiānxià tài píng. tā hěn shǎo fābù zhènglìng, érshì tōngguò zìshēn de pǐndé gǎnhuà bǎixìng, shǐ shèhuì fēngqì chúnzhèng, bǎixìng ānjū lèyè. zhè jiùshì lìshǐ shàng zhùmíng de ‘wúwéi ér zhì’ de diǎnfàn. shùn de wúwéi, bìngfēi bù zuòwéi, érshì yīnwèi tā shēnzhī zhìlǐ tiānxià zhīdào zàiyú shùnyìng zìrán, yǐ dé huà mín, shǐ rénxīn xiàng shàn.

Legend has it that in ancient times, Emperor Yao, in his old age, wanted to cede his throne to a virtuous and capable person. After careful examination, he chose Shun. Shun inherited Yao's governance philosophy and policies, without drastically reforming them. Instead, he led by example, diligently ruled, loved the people, and governed through virtue. As a result, the country was peaceful and prosperous. He rarely issued edicts, but influenced the people with his personal moral character. This is a famous example of "governing without action" in history. Shun's inaction wasn't really inaction but was based on his understanding that governing a country involves following nature, governing with virtue, and influencing people's hearts to be good.

Usage

形容一种以德化民，减少人为干预的治理方法。

xiáoróng yī zhǒng yǐ dé huà mín, jiǎnshǎo rénwéi gānyù de zhìlǐ fāngfǎ

Describes a governance method that uses virtue to influence the people and reduces artificial intervention.

Examples

• 道家思想主张无为而治，以德化民。

  dàojiā sīxiǎng zhǔzhāng wúwéi ér zhì, yǐ dé huà mín

  Daoist philosophy advocates for governing without action, leading through virtue.

• 历史上一些贤明的君主，也曾尝试过无为而治的策略。

  lìshǐ shàng yīxiē xiánmíng de jūnzhǔ, yě céng chángshì guò wúwéi ér zhì de cèlüè

  In history, some wise monarchs also tried the strategy of governing without action.

• 现代社会中，无为而治更多地体现在对社会发展的引导和调控，而不是完全的无所作为。

  xiàndài shèhuì zhōng, wúwéi ér zhì gèng duō de tǐxiàn zài duì shèhuì fāzhǎn de yǐndǎo hé tiáokòng, ér bùshì wánquán de wúsuǒ zuòwéi

  In modern society, governing without action is more reflected in the guidance and regulation of social development, rather than complete inaction..

Related Idioms

• 清静无为

• 道法自然

Opposite Idioms

• 强力统治

• 专制独裁