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All 8 Flashcards — Wu wei — non-action
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Question
What is wu wei?
Answer
'Non-action' — acting in harmony with the natural flow instead of forcing against it.
Question
Is wu wei doing nothing?
Answer
No — it's effortless, well-timed action that works WITH the grain of things, not passivity.
Question
Effortless action?
Answer
A small, well-timed move along the natural grain does the work that straining and forcing never could.
Question
'Water overcomes the hard and strong'?
Answer
Water yields and flows round obstacles, yet wears down stone over time — soft outlasts hard.
Question
The power of yielding?
Answer
Bending and giving way isn't weakness; it quietly outlasts rigid force (the reed survives the storm, the stiff tree snaps).
Question
Why does forcing backfire?
Answer
It fights the natural grain, wasting energy and stirring up resistance — like yanking a knot tighter.
Question
Not-forcing vs not-caring (Go further)?
Answer
Wu wei is dropping needless force (wise), not giving up or laziness (idle) — a distinction that scores.
Question
How does wu wei link to the Tao?
Answer
If the Tao is the Way things naturally go, wu wei is simply going WITH that Way rather than fighting it.
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Topic 10.10 hub
Tao Te Ching — Lao Tzu
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