無為而治
wú​wéi'ér​zhì

to govern by doing nothing

wú​wéi'ér​zhì to govern by doing nothing
  1. 无为 無為 wú​wéi
    non-interference
    The Daoist philosophy of non-action or let things take their own course; following the natural flow of events.
  2. 而 ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  3. 治 zhì nounverb
    to rule
    to rule; to govern; to manage or administer; to harness a river

wú​wéi'ér​zhì to rule by moral influence
  1. 无为 無為 wú​wéi
    governing by virtue
    A Confucian concept of ruling through moral influence and virtue rather than through force or punishment.
  2. 而 ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  3. 治 zhì nounverb
    to rule
    to rule; to govern; to manage or administer; to harness a river