The sage engages in effortless action because it reduces stress, uses less energy, prevents retaliation, and helps one live in harmony.
Striving
The sage never strives and doesn’t force things. They don’t plan or set goals.
“The highest virtue does nothing. Yet, nothing needs to be done. The lowest virtue does everything. Yet, much remains to be done.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 38
Even though they don’t act everything gets taken care of.
“The Way is ever without action, Yet nothing is left undone.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 37
They know that failure happens when action is forced because it interferes with the natural flow.
“Those who act will fail. Those who seize will lose. So, the sage does not act and therefore does not fail, Does not seize and therefore does not lose…He wants all things to follow their own nature, But dares not act.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 64
Useless Action
The sage does not engage in useless action which includes striving or being arrogant.
“Those who stand on their toes are not steady. Those who take long steps cannot keep the pace. Those who show off do not shine. Those who are self-righteous are not prominent. Those who boast are not respected. Those who praise themselves do not prevail. To the Way, such people are surplus provisions and useless actions.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 24
They never struggle for greatness or accomplishments.
“Act without action. Pursue without interfering…So, the sage never strives for greatness, and can therefore accomplish greatness.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 63
Simplifying
The Way simplifies and reduces.
“Heaven’s Way reduces excess and replenishes deficiency. People’s Way is not so. They reduce the deficient and supply the excessive. Who has excess and supplies the world? Only the one who follows the Way.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 77
In the same way the sage finds things to let go.
“Those who seek knowledge, collect something every day. Those who seek the Way, let go of something every day. They let go and let go, until reaching no action. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 48
Simplifying leads to a more satisfying life.
“Hulk to be whole. Bend to be straight. Empty to be filled. Wear down to be renewed. Reduce to gain. Excess confuses.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 22
Contending
The Way never contends yet always succeeds.
“Heaven’s way does not contend, yet it certainly triumphs.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 73
Therefore the sage doesn’t contend or argue with others.
“Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right…Heaven’s Way is to benefit and not to harm. The sage’s Way Is to act and not to contend.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 81
By acting only when necessary the sage protects themself from retaliation.
“Therefore, the sage embraces the one, and is an example to the world…Because he opposes no one, no one in the world can oppose him.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 22
Effortless action allows the softest to overcome the hardest. The sage embraces passivity and flows with life.
“The softest in the world surpasses the hardest in the world. What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening. Thereby I know the value of non-action. The value of teaching without words and accomplishing without action is understood by few in the world.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 43
Minimal Action
Even though the sage doesn’t force there are times when they act. They never do so with pride, benefit, or domination. They reach the desired outcome and stop. There is no need to do more.
“Solutions without arrogance, solutions without scorn, solutions without pride, solutions without benefit, solutions without domination.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 30
Leadership
The leader hesitates to act and is willing to yield.
“I dare not advance an inch, but would rather retreat a foot. This is called marching without marching, grabbing without arms, charging without enemy, seizing without weapons.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 69
They find the minimal solution and then stop. They resist using violence because they know it leads to retaliation.
“Therefore, good leaders reach solution, and then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 30
They focus on the essentials of food, safety, and harmony.
“The sage governs by emptying senses and filling bellies, Curbing strife and strengthening backs, keeping the people ignorant and without desire, Making the learned afraid to act. If he acts without action, order will prevail.”
Dao de Jing, Chapter 3
They know that excessive laws leads to unhappiness and law breaking.
“the more restrictions and prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be…The more laws and commands there are, the more thieves and robbers there will be.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 57
The leader allows the people the freedom to live their lives and be their true self.
“I do not act, and people become reformed by themselves. I am at peace, and people become fair by themselves. I do not interfere, and people become rich by themselves. I have no desire to desire, And people become like the uncarved wood by themselves.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 57
Summary
Effortless action reduces stress and helps one live in harmony. The sage never sets goals because this only leads to failure. They do not contend and this protects them from retaliation. They embrace passivity and flow with life. If they have to act they never do so with pride, benefit, or domination. They reach the desired outcome and stop. The leader uses effortless action by not using violence and focusing on the essentials. Excessive laws only leads to unhappiness and law breaking.
