Quote by LaoTzu

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, We have done it ourselves.

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; th

Summary

This quote highlights the qualities of effective rulers. The best rulers are those who govern in such a way that people are oblivious to their presence, as they smoothly and efficiently handle their responsibilities. The next best rulers are loved and praised by the people due to their benevolence and fairness. Those who instill fear in the people are considered less favorable rulers. The worst rulers are reviled, creating a lack of faith in them, which leads them to resort to making empty promises. In contrast, the best rulers empower the people so effectively that when they achieve their goals, the people feel a sense of ownership and accomplishment.

Topics

Government

By LaoTzu

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Events of great consequence often spring from trifling circu

Events of great consequence often spring from trifling circumstances.

Chance

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress working together is success.

Success

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to so

No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.

Calvin Coolidge

Alone

Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dial

Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two.

Change

Since I am a man, my heart is three or four times less sensi

Since I am a man, my heart is three or four times less sensitive, because I have three or four times as much power of reason and experience of the world -- a thing which you women call hard-heartedness. As a man, I can take refuge in having mistresses. The more of them I have, and the greater the scandal, the more I acquire reputation and brilliance in society.

Henri B. Stendhal

Men

Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utt

Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.

George MacDonald

I refuse to spend my life worrying about what I eat. There i

I refuse to spend my life worrying about what I eat. There is no pleasure worth forgoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward.

Diet

Trust not the horse, O Trojans. Be it what it may, I fear th

Trust not the horse, O Trojans. Be it what it may, I fear the Grecians even when they offer gifts.

Charity

It's with bad sentiments that one makes good novels.

It's with bad sentiments that one makes good novels.

Good

You make your first album, you make some money, and you feel

You make your first album, you make some money, and you feel like you still have to show face, like 'I still go to the projects.' I'm like, why? Your job is to inspire people from your neighborhood to get out. You grew up there. What makes you think it's so cool?

Cool

Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate a

Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles.

George Jean Nathan

Patriotism

The English press, are so nosy, and the English seem to love

The English press, are so nosy, and the English seem to love that eavesdropping.

Michael Hutchence

Love