Governing by doing nothing is the basic idea of Taoism and the basic method of its practice. The idea of governing by doing nothing was first put forward by Laozi. Laozi believes that everything in the world is born of Tao, and the movement and change of everything in the world also follow the law of Tao.

Tao is based on nature, so we should treat things naturally, do nothing, let things develop freely according to their own inevitability, and make them in a natural state that conforms to Tao, without interfering with it or affecting the natural process of things by doing something. Only in this way can things exist normally and develop healthily.

Therefore, in the Taoist view, treating people with things, cultivating the mind and nourishing the nature should be based on natural inaction and avoid doing anything wrong. According to Taoism, in the state of natural inaction, things can develop smoothly according to their own laws, and so can people and society.

If people interfere with the development process of things and change the natural state of things according to some subjective desire, the result will only be to encourage the signs and bring about their own failure. Therefore, a wise man should govern by doing nothing and keeping in good health. Only in this way can he achieve the expected goal.

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The Taoist thought of "governing by doing nothing", as a technique of governing the country, has a great influence on later generations. For example, Tian Ji's study of Huang Lao and Huang Lao's administration in the early Han Dynasty were both official studies and outstanding studies, which were used to govern the country, and made Qi's hegemony and prosperity. In the early Tang Dynasty, Taoism was designated as the state religion, and "the rule of Zhenguan" appeared.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the policy of "rest and recuperation" was implemented, and "benevolent governance" appeared. It can be seen that the five times of peace and prosperity in the history of China were directly or indirectly realized under the guidance of Taoism.

If people interfere with the development process of things and change the natural state of things according to some subjective desire, the result will only be to encourage the signs and bring about their own failure. Therefore, a wise man should govern by doing nothing and keeping in good health. Only in this way can he achieve the expected goal.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Governing by Doing Nothing

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