無為而治

Although this idea is most commonly associated with Taoism, the exact wording first appeared in Confucian text. From the Analects, Book 15 (《論語·衞靈公》):

子曰：「無為而治者，其舜也與！夫何為哉？恭己正南面而已矣。」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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子曰：「无为而治者，其舜也与！夫何为哉？恭己正南面而已矣。」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Zǐyuē: “Wúwèi ér zhì zhě, qí Shùn yě yú! Fú héwéi zāi? Gōng jǐ zhèng nánmiàn éryǐ yǐ.” [Pinyin]

The Master said, "May not Shun be instanced as having governed efficiently without exertion? What did he do? He did nothing but gravely and reverently occupy his royal seat."

The earliest appearance in Taoist texts is worded differently. From Tao Te Ching, Chapter 57:

故聖人云：我無為，而民自化；我好靜，而民自正；我無事，而民自富；我無欲，而民自樸。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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故圣人云：我无为，而民自化；我好静，而民自正；我无事，而民自富；我无欲，而民自朴。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Tao Te Ching, 4^th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Gù shèngrén yún: wǒ wúwéi, ér mín zì huà; wǒ hào jìng, ér mín zì zhèng; wǒ wúshì, ér mín zì fù; wǒ wúyù, ér mín zì pǔ. [Pinyin]

Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing (of purpose), and the people will be transformed of themselves; I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct. I will take no trouble about it, and the people will of themselves become rich; I will manifest no ambition, and the people will of themselves attain to the primitive simplicity.'

無為而治

1. (Confucianism) to govern by rule of virtue
2. (Taoism) to govern by doing nothing that goes against nature; (by extension) to govern by nonaction; to govern by noninterference