Wu Wei (无为, Non-Action) in the Dao De Jing: Meaning and Occurrences
In the Dao De Jing, wu wei (无为) is non-action: the sage keeps to it, the Way constantly practices it, and the text says that through it nothing is left undone.
无为 (wú wéi) is made of 无, "without", and 为, "to act": literally "not acting". This site translates it "non-action", or "not acting" where the sentence needs a verb. The claim the text repeats most is that through non-action nothing is left undone (无为而无不为), in chapters 37 and 48.
Non-action belongs first to the sage. In chapter 2 the sage keeps to non-action and teaches without words; in chapter 57 the sage says: "I do not act, and the people transform of themselves." Chapter 3 says that when one acts without acting, nothing is out of order, and chapter 63 opens with the same words, 为无为.
The Way itself constantly practices non-action (chapter 37), and superior virtue does not act (chapter 38). Chapter 43 names the benefit of non-action beside teaching without words, and adds that few in the world attain them.
Every occurrence of 无为
Chapter 2
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Line 6
是以圣人处无为之事，
Thus the sage puts himself in a position of non-active productive state,
Chapter 3
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Line 7
为无为，则无不治。
Act without acting, and nothing will be out of order.
Chapter 10
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Line 12
能无为乎？
Can you refrain from striving?
Chapter 37
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Line 1
道常无为而无不为，
The Way constantly practices non-action, yet nothing is left undone.
Chapter 38
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Line 3
上德无为而无以为，
Superior virtue does not act, and has no motive for acting.
Chapter 43
Chapter 48
Chapter 57
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Line 11
“我无为而民自化，
"I do not act, and the people transform of themselves;
Chapter 63
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Line 1
为无为，事无事，
Act without acting, work without working,
Chapter 64
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Line 11
是以圣人无为故无败，
So the sage does not act, and so does not spoil;