Wei (伪) means artifice, or modification by humans. Wei originally meant “by people,” and by extension it can have different meanings. First, in terms of nature, wei implies modifications and changes made by people to preexisting natural attributes or functions. Such modification exemplifies in daily human relations how humans are regulated by moral codes and rules of propriety. Xunzi (313?-238) felt that such modification of human nature was essential. Second, in terms of truth, wei implies the use of human behavior to mask the truth; this has connotations of falsehood and deception.

Attributes that people have but cannot acquire through learning and working are called nature. Abilities learned or mastered through effort are called artifice. Such is the difference between nature and artifice. Xunzi

With great use of intelligence in governance comes great deceptiveness. Laozi