Daoism and Confucianism: Key Concepts and Comparisons

Wuwei

Wuwei (non-action) means aligning with the natural flow of things and acting without force or struggle. It's not laziness, but effortless effectiveness.

Example of Wuwei

In the Zhuangzi, a butcher explains that his knife never needs sharpening because he follows the natural structure of the ox—this shows Wuwei in practice.

Dao (Way)

The Dao is the ultimate principle underlying all things—formless, infinite, and the source of harmony. It cannot be fully grasped or named.

Quote from Daodejing, Ch. 1

"The Dao that can be spoken of is not the constant Dao." (Ivanhoe, Ch. 8)

Yin-Yang

Though the term "yin-yang" isn't emphasized in the Daodejing, the text frequently praises softness, yielding, and femininity (yin) as powerful forces in harmony with the Dao.

Quote about feminine/yin

"Know the male, but keep to the role of the female." — Daodejing, Ch. 28

Confucian view of society

Society should be organized through moral hierarchy and rituals that cultivate virtue (li and ren).

Daoist view of society

Society and formal institutions are seen as corrupting; the best rulers are those who interfere the least (wuwei).

Daoist quote on rulers

"The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects." — Daodejing, Ch. 17

Confucian approach to self-cultivation

Mengzi teaches that people must nurture their innate moral sprouts (Four Beginnings) to become virtuous.

Daoist approach to self-cultivation

Self-cultivation means letting go of striving and ambition, and returning to simplicity and stillness.

Daoist quote on stillness

"I alone am inert, revealing nothing, like an infant that has not yet learned to smile." — Daodejing, Ch. 20

Confucian view of women

Confucianism, especially through Ban Zhao, promotes the idea that women should be obedient and uphold domestic virtues.

Daoist view of the feminine

The feminine (yin) is praised as powerful; softness and receptivity are sources of strength.

Daoist quote about femininity

"The soft overcomes the hard; the weak overcomes the strong." — Daodejing, Ch. 36

Mengzi's view of rulers and authority

Rulers must act with ren (benevolence); if they act tyrannically, they lose their legitimacy.

Quote from Mengzi

"I have heard of the execution of Zhou, but not of regicide." — Mencius 1B.8

Mengzi's view of human nature

Human nature is inherently good, possessing "sprouts" of moral feelings like compassion and shame.

Example of innate goodness

A person seeing a child fall into a well would instinctively feel alarm—evidence of natural compassion (2A.6).

Four Beginnings according to Mengzi

Compassion → Ren, Shame → Yi, Deference → Li, Judgment → Zhi

Ivanhoe's note on the Four Beginnings

Ivanhoe emphasizes Mengzi's psychological insight: virtue grows from cultivating feelings already present in everyone.