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Why does the Daodejing discourage rulers from seeking fame and control?

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Understanding Taoism: Ancient philosophy and way of life — Taoism Questions and answers about the religio-philosophical Chinese tradition of Taoism.

The Daodejing discourages rulers from seeking fame and control because such pursuits represent artificial interference with the natural order of the universe, known as the Dao.12

In Daoist philosophy, the cosmos unfolds spontaneously through a process called ziran. When rulers attempt to exert rigid control through bureaucracy, legislation, or personal ambition, they forsake this natural spontaneity for human artifice. The text advocates for wuwei, or "nonaction," which is not a call for passivity but a mandate to avoid actions that contradict the natural course of the world.12

By practicing simplicity—symbolized by the metaphor of pu (unhewn wood)—a ruler becomes more responsive to the needs of the people and allows the kingdom to flourish naturally. True effectiveness, according to the Daodejing, comes from aligning oneself with the Way rather than attempting to master or manipulate the world through ego-driven power.12