in the opening is c4 passive and not e5

i don't understand

C4 is not passive because if the knight develops it doesent block the pawn and it captures d5 pawn with a flank pawn and c4 controls d5 , E5 is not passive because it counters E4

true

The word 'passive' is always used in this context to describe a chess opening that is not aggressive. And it drives me nuts! It is a cliché (something that comes out of people's mouths before it passes through their brains.)

A so-called 'passive' opening usually lets their opponent set up their center, and then counter-attacks it. Counter-attacks have a higher success rate than the initial attack and that goes double as one moves down the chess rankings.

Think openings like the Pirc and Modern defenses.

1 c4 is not passive. Fischer used it as a surprise to defeat Spassky in their 1972 World Championship Match.

Yes, for example Caro-Kann
1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5
3 e5 is much better than 3 c4

"for example Caro-Kann"

• 1 e4 c6 2 c4 is fine.
  1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 is fine.
  1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 Bf5 4 c4 is fine.