清静无为 qīngjìng wúwéi Quietude and Inaction

Explanation

清静无为是道家的一种哲学思想和治术，指一切顺其自然，不强求，不妄为。它主张通过减少人为干预，达到社会和谐和个人身心安宁。

Quietude and inaction is a philosophical thought and governing strategy of Taoism, which means that everything should follow its natural course without forcing or arbitrary intervention. It advocates for achieving social harmony and inner peace by reducing artificial interventions.

Origin Story

话说战国时期，一个名叫老子的隐士，厌倦了世间的纷扰，隐居深山，过着清静无为的生活。他每日清晨在山间采药，傍晚在溪边垂钓，与世无争，内心平静祥和。一日，一位年轻的官员慕名而来，向老子请教治国之道。老子微微一笑，说道：“治国之道，在于清静无为，顺应自然，少些人为干预，百姓才能安居乐业。”官员不解，老子便用手指着山间生长的野花野草，说道：“你看这山间的野花野草，不争不抢，却能自然生长，繁花似锦。治理国家也一样，要顺应民心，少些干预，让百姓自由发展，国家自然就会繁荣昌盛。”官员听了老子的教诲，深受启发，最终也选择了归隐田园，过着清静无为的生活。

huàshuō zhànguó shíqí, yīgè míng jiào lǎozǐ de yǐnshì, yànjuànle shìjiān de fēnráo, yǐnjū shēnshān, guòzhe qīngjìng wúwéi de shēnghuó. tā měirì qīngchén zài shānjiān cǎiyào, bàngwǎn zài xībiān chuídiào, yǔ shì wúzhēng, nèixīn píngjìng xiánghé. yīrì, yī wèi niánqīng de guānyuán mùmíng ér lái, xiàng lǎozǐ qǐngjiào zhìguó zhīdào. lǎozǐ wēi wēi yīxiào, shuōdào:“zhìguó zhīdào, zàiyú qīngjìng wúwéi, shùnyìng zìrán, shǎo xiē rénwéi gānyù, bǎixìng cáinéng ānjū lèyè.” guānyuán bùjiě, lǎozǐ biàn yòng shǒuzhǐ zhe shānjiān shēngzhǎng de yěhuā yěcǎo, shuōdào:“nǐ kàn zhè shānjiān de yěhuā yěcǎo, bùzhēng bù qiǎng, què néng zìrán shēngzhǎng, fán huā sì jǐn. zhìlǐ guójiā yě yīyàng, yào shùnyìng mínxīn, shǎo xiē gānyù, ràng bǎixìng zìyóu fāzhǎn, guójiā zìrán jiù huì fánróng chángshèng.” guānyuán tīngle lǎozǐ de jiàohuì, shēnshòu qǐfā, zuìzhōng yě xuǎnzéle guīyǐn tiányuán, guòzhe qīngjìng wúwéi de shēnghuó.

During the Warring States period, a hermit named Laozi, tired of the world's troubles, lived in seclusion in the mountains, leading a life of quietude and inaction. Every morning he would gather herbs in the mountains, and in the evening he would fish by the stream, avoiding conflict and maintaining inner peace. One day, a young official came to seek his advice on governing the state. Laozi smiled slightly and said, “The art of governing lies in quietude and inaction, in accordance with nature, with less artificial intervention, so that the people can live in peace and prosperity.” The official didn't understand, so Laozi pointed to the wildflowers and weeds growing in the mountains and said, “Look at the wildflowers and weeds in the mountains, they don't compete, yet they grow naturally and bloom beautifully. Governing a country is the same; one must follow the will of the people, with less intervention, allowing the people to develop freely, and the country will naturally prosper.” The official listened to Laozi's teachings, was deeply inspired, and eventually chose to return to the countryside, living a life of quietude and inaction.

Usage

常用来形容一种平和淡然的生活状态，也用来形容一种无为而治的政治策略。

cháng yòng lái xiáoróng yī zhǒng pínghé dànrán de shēnghuó zhuàngtài, yě yòng lái xiáoróng yī zhǒng wúwéi ér zhì de zhèngzhì cèlüè

Often used to describe a peaceful and tranquil state of life, also used to describe a laissez-faire political strategy.

Examples

• 他崇尚清静无为的生活方式。

  tā chóngshàng qīngjìng wúwéi de shēnghuó fāngshì

  He advocates a quiet and inactive lifestyle.

• 这种清静无为的境界并非易得。

  zhè zhǒng qīngjìng wúwéi de jìngjiè bìngfēi yìdé

  This state of tranquility and inaction is not easily achieved.

Related Idioms

• 道法自然

• 无为而治

• 顺其自然

Opposite Idioms

• 积极进取

• 强求

• 妄为