Inaction is an important concept in Laozi's thought, and a correct understanding of this concept is very important for understanding Laozi and even the whole Taoist theory. Some people think that Laozi's thought is negative and not as positive as Confucius's, which is caused by the misunderstanding of Laozi's "inaction".

1. To correctly understand Laozi's inaction, we must first correctly interpret the word "nothing".

The "nothing" in the word "inaction" in Laozi's Tao Te Ching does not mean that there is no existence or nothing, but refers to the material and state without concrete image, but it is just invisible, inaudible and intangible. It is an attribute concept, which not only represents matter without concrete shape, but also represents abstract thinking.

For example, Chapter 55 of Tao Te Ching says, "When you have the same wheel hub, you can use it as a car. It is useless to make tools, but it is useless. Chisel home, when it has nothing, there is still room for it. Therefore, it is beneficial and useless. " The meanings of "nothing" in this chapter refer to a space that has no visible objects, but exists objectively and can accommodate tangible objects. Without this invisible space, tangible objects can't function.

Chapter 69 of the Tao Te Ching says, "Everything comes naturally. Embroidery! Wonderful! Independence without love can be the mother of heaven and earth. I don't know its name, but the word is Tao, and it is strong. " In this chapter, the intangible "things" that existed before heaven and earth have no concrete image, but they can produce all things in heaven and earth and are real. Chapter 45 of Tao Te Ching says: "Nothing is the beginning of all things. Yes, the mother of all things. " The "nothing" here refers to the particularity that can produce everything in the world.

What is the relationship between "you" and "nothing"? Laozi said "born out of nothing" and dialectical unity. This is a bright spot of Laozi's great wisdom. 2500 years ago, when the whole world was at a loss about how the universe came into being, where everything came from and who made man, Lao Tzu clearly pointed out that "everything in the world was born out of nothing." (Chapter IV)

First, when China said in ancient times that "chaos first opened", he meant that the universe was "chaotic" before its death. Later, "Tao gave birth to one, life gave birth to two, life gave birth to three, and life gave birth to everything." Everything is negative and holds yang, and the gas is harmonious. " Chapter 5 is consistent with the theory that the universe was formed by the Big Bang. This is the first kind of nothingness that produces tangible form from intangible form.

Secondly, Lao Tzu said "being" (Chapter 46), which means that the relationship between "being" and "being" is not absolute, but can be transformed into each other, and it is endless.