Wednesday, February 23, 2011

17: Unnoticed Ruler


17

The supreme rulers are hardly known by their subjects.
The lesser are loved and praised.
The even lesser are feared.
The least are despised.
Those who show no trust will not be trusted.
Those who are quiet value the words.
When their task is completed, people will say:
We did it ourselves.



Unnoticed Ruler

History has taught us that noisy rulers usually ravage the country. Still, we tend to fall for them when they rise. We should always look for modesty in our leaders, and moderation in their use of power...

Here is my full commentary on this Tao Te Ching chapter:
Tao Te Ching Chapter 17 Translation and Commentary

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