Wu wei

The Daoist ideal of 'non-action': acting without forcing, in harmony with the natural way rather than from selfish desire.

Also: wuwei, wu-wei, 無為, non-action, effortless action

What it means

Wu wei is usually translated 'non-action', but it does not mean doing nothing at all. In the Laozi (Daodejing), it describes conduct free of grasping, self-serving desire, the practical side of ziran, or naturalness. A ruler who acts through wu wei avoids war, harsh punishment and heavy taxes, and lets the people settle of their own accord. The Laozi illustrates the ideal with images such as water, which yields yet overcomes, and the infant's spontaneity. In the Zhuangzi, Laozi tells Confucius to teach wu wei rather than benevolence and rightness. Commentators such as Heshang Gong and Wang Bi read the sage behind it differently.

The questions it belongs to

• 6.24 Philosophy of ActionWhat is the difference between your arm rising and your raising it?
• 6.4 Political PhilosophyWhen is political power legitimate, and what may it rightly do?

Thinkers

• Laozi
• Zhuangzi
• Wang Bi
• Heshang Gong

Traditions

• Chinese

To read

• Commentary on the Laozi — Wang Bi
• Daodejing — Laozi
• Zhuangzi — Zhuangzi

Sources and further reading

• Laozi (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
• Laozi (Lao-tzu) (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
• Daoism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Written by the Coordinates of Thought editors and checked against the sources above on 29 October 2026. Not peer-reviewed. How we write and check.

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