This concept is about the quiet and reticent demeanor of people who are preoccupied with exploring profound, esoteric and novel issues. In The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, written by Liu Xie (465?-520?or532?) in the Southern Dynasties, it refers to writings with profound meaning and deep emotion but are expressed in a plain, simple, unpretentious and unadorned way. Also it refers to a style of similar kind. Later, this concept evolved into a writing style of pursuing an aesthetic effect that appears plain but is rich and evocative, similar to the writing style of iceberg principle and zero intervention in Western literature.

Moreover, the monarch should have maintained a pure and inactive state of mind and held fast to the virtue of quietness. But as it is now, because of the hobby of traveling far and showing off his status, the monarch makes charioteers and horses tired and weary, which is really not a matter of urgency for him to do. (Yang Xiong: “Changyang Rhapsody” with a Preface)

Those who are profound in thinking often seek to explore new ideas; therefore, under the appearance of quietness and reticence they often have galloping thoughts. And those who are skilled in rhetoric often aim to achieve perfection, so they often immerse themselves in ornate oratory. (Liu Xie: The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons)

When a wise monarch conducts governance in a quiet and inactive manner, the people can achieve peace of mind. Only he who stays true to the original intention of the creation and nurturing of all things under heaven can reach such an auspicious state. (Xu Wei: A Memorial Written on Behalf of Hu Zongxian in Congratulating the Court on the Possession of a White Female Deer)