# Do nothing for nothing

**Published by:** [cumquat](https://paragraph.com/@cumquat/)
**Published on:** 2022-12-20
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@cumquat/do-nothing-for-nothing

## Content

Do nothing for nothing.What is "doing something for nothing"? This phrase is aimed at another phrase, which is "to do something". What is doing something? That is to say, when we do things, we usually want to achieve an outcome that is favorable to us. We always think of what we are doing as a means to an end that is favorable to us. Things always point to a purpose outside of them, in which case doing something is called "doing something". Confucianism is against doing so. Confucianism says, why are we doing this? Not because it is a means to a utilitarian end, but because it should have been done. It is not a means; it is its own end, its own value, its own meaning. If you don't do it, you're wrong. This is doing something for nothing. What is the state of doing something without doing it? For example, if you invest in a store, this is an investment in economics, with a clear goal of profit. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you open that store and remember that on the wall in the lobby of your store there are four words, "I kid you not to cheat," that shows the value of business in itself. If you invest in a private hospital, you also have a profit target, which is right, beyond reproach. But you have not forgotten the four words written on the wall of the outpatient hall of your hospital: "Life comes first", which expresses the value of the medical profession itself. If you invest in a private school, of course there will be profit targets, but you do not forget to write on the wall of your teaching building four words "no class", which expresses the meaning of education itself. The opening of shops, the opening of hospitals, the opening of private schools, these things are not in themselves the means to capital profit, they are in themselves the end and meaning. This is the spirit of Confucianism. Confucianism tells us how to go beyond the real interests and losses of concern, to look at all kinds of things in this world, their original immortal value is what. This is the birth of Confucianism and then enter the world, summed up in a word: do nothing. The result of doing something to their advantage or disadvantage, is beneficial to oneself or hurt oneself, should not be in our consideration. We do it because it should be done. Such a life will never fail. Let's look at Taoism. How does Taoism say "Wei"? Can be summed up in a word: do nothing, do nothing. The Tao does not mean not doing things, but not doing things artificially. But isn't everything human? How can it not be human?Artificial, these two Chinese characters combined, is another Chinese character: false. And that's where the meaning comes in. A fake is a fake. If you do things outside the way of heaven, human factors will come into play. This is false and artificial. Confucianism and Taoism, both Chinese philosophy, is a Chinese philosophy, there is a common starting point: the unity of heaven and man. Confucianism also advocates the unity of heaven and man, and Taoism also advocates the unity of heaven and man, but they are different. The emphasis of Confucianism is on man, while the emphasis of Taoism is on heaven. Taoism believes that the happiness of human life comes from heaven, and the troubles of human life come from people themselves. Therefore, in the relationship between heaven and man, the principle of Taoism must be to make subtraction, that is, to reduce the factors from man himself as much as possible.

## Publication Information

- [cumquat](https://paragraph.com/@cumquat/): Publication homepage
- [All Posts](https://paragraph.com/@cumquat/): More posts from this publication
- [RSS Feed](https://api.paragraph.com/blogs/rss/@cumquat): Subscribe to updates