Governing by doing nothing was first proposed by Laozi and is a Taoist philosophical thought. Laozi believes that the root of all things in the universe is "Tao", and "Tao" is "inaction" and "natural". People who follow "Tao" should also focus on "inaction". He believes that "rule by etiquette" and "rule by law" are not good, and the best way to govern is "governing by inaction", emphasizing that "I do nothing and the people will be harmonious. I like to be quiet and the people will be upright. I will do nothing and the people will be rich. I have nothing to do." Desire leads to simplicity of the people.”

The practice of "governing by doing nothing"

In the early Han Dynasty, the policy of quietness and inaction was implemented to develop production. In the early Han Dynasty, the social economy was in ruins, and the people longed for a stable environment in order to restore and develop production. Liu Bang summed up the lessons of Qin's fall and adopted the policy of governing by doing nothing and resting with the people.

During the reign of Emperor Hui, Prime Minister Xiao He passed away, and Cao Shen succeeded him. "Xiao Gui Cao Sui" remained unchanged. During the Wenjing period, the policy of governing by doing nothing was further promoted. Encourage farmers to cultivate mulberry trees, reduce taxes to 1 in 30 taxes, and relax and simplify criminal administration. As the government reduced the exploitation and interference of farmers, the social economy was restored and developed. By the early years of Emperor Wu, granaries in urban and rural areas were filled with grain, and the government had sufficient money.