How does Thomas Jefferson and Lao-tzu share commitment to judicious inactivity?

Answer 1

Thomas Jefferson believed that (propertied white) men were naturally free and capable of deciding for themselves how to arrange their society and govern their relations. The only role for government was to facilitate those natural relations. Government should be constituted of men of superior quality who nurtured the common people's abilities and who led more by example than by dictate. He therefore was an opponent of what he considered excessive centralized government power and believed that in a democratic republic, the common people would share affection and naturally create structures for good governance. If government became too oppressive, Jefferson believed it should be overthrown.

Lao Tzu wrote: "Tao abides in non-action (wu wei), yet nothing is left undone. If kings and lords observed this, the ten thousand things would develop naturally. If they still desired to act, they would return to the simplicity of formless substance. Without form there is no desire. Without desire there is tranquillity. And in this way all things would be at peace." Tao Te Ching Ch. 37. Wu wei does not literally mean no action; it is either wise non-action or action taken naturally because it reflects the needs of all. "Rule a nation with justice. ...The more laws and restrictions there are, the poorer people become. ... The more rules and regulations, the more thieves and robbers. Therefore the sage says: I take no action and people are reformed. I enjoy peace and people become honest. I do noting and people become rich. I have no desires and people return to the good and simple life." Tao Te Ching. Ch. 57. Lao Tzu also predicted rebellion when government because oppressive. "Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much... Why do the people think so little of death? Because the rulers demand too much of life." Tao Te Ching Ch. 75.