 Although the reciprocal tasks are different, the ruler is supposed to operate in the kingdom in the same way as the saint operates in the world. The Daode jing expresses this view in words analogous to those quoted above for the saint: “Do non-doing, and there is nothing that is not governed” (3). This involves that the ruler should issue few laws and prohibitions (57) and instead allow the people to operate by themselves (37). Since the Confucian virtues arise “when the Dao is abandoned” and “when the country is in confusion” (5, 18), the saintly ruler should not use them as principles of government.