The Tao Of Politics
The Tao of politics?
Here is the short version: Be tolerant, leave the people alone,
and let things take care of themselves. Below are some of my
favorite quotes on politics and government from the Tao Te Ching,
by Lao Tzu.
# 57
To be a great
leader
you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Drop fixed plans and ideas
And the world will govern itself.
The more
laws you have
The less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons
The less secure.
The more subsidies
The less self-reliant.
#60
Governing
a large country
Is like cooking a small fish.
It is spoiled with too much poking.
#75
If taxes
are too high
The people go hungry.
If government is too intrusive
The people lose their spirit.
Govern for
the people's benefit.
Trust them and leave them alone.
#61
A great country
is like a great man:
If he makes a mistake, he realizes it.
Realizing it, he admits it.
Admitting it, he corrects it.
He sees those who find his flaws
As his teachers.
He sees his enemy
As his shadow.
A nation
centered in the Tao,
Nourishing its people,
And not meddling in the affairs of others,
Is a light to all nations of the world.
For more on the Tao
of Politics, why not read the Tao Te Ching? My own favorite translation
is that of Stephen Mitchell. He worries less about the literal
translation, and more about the meaning.
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