Those who do not act excessively may rise to ultimate leadership. Derived from the book Guanzi, this principle echoes the Daoist notion of wuwei (无为), which does not mean taking no action at all, but refraining from taking excessive action. The concept captures the idea of not acting against the natural flow of events; it is a non-assertive approach that respects the inherent momentum of beings and situations. Here, di (帝literally “to become an emperor”) means to reach the peak of success and endeavors. This term carries two implications: Firstly, great success doesn’t necessarily spring from imposing one’s will upon the world. Rather, it often flows from harnessing the evolving dynamics of things. Secondly, those who are in power should exercise governance with restraint rather than exerting excessive control.

A ruler who governs in a non-assertive way may become an emperor; one who leads without excessive intervention may become a king; and one who steers the course without seeking glory may become a lord. (Guanzi)