 The ambiguous term wu @-@ wei ( simplified Chinese : <unk> ; traditional Chinese : <unk> ; pinyin : <unk> <unk> ) constitutes the leading ethical concept in Taoism . Wei refers to any intentional or deliberated action , while wu carries the meaning of " there is no ... " or " lacking , without " . Common translations are " nonaction " , " effortless action " or " action without intent " . The meaning is sometimes emphasized by using the paradoxical expression " wei wu wei " : " action without action " . 
