Lao-Tzu vs. Machiavelli
Lao-tzu vs. Machiavelli Government is the essential authority of a country or state, which directly affects society because it provides key securities. How directly involved should the government be in the personal lives of society? To answer this I will look to the ideas of Lao-tzu (sixth century B.C.), believed to be author of the Tao-te Ching, and Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), author of The Prince There are few ways in which they are similar, but have very opposite views and ideas of government. Lao-tzu’s view is government should not have optimal power over the people He feels as though the less people know they are being governed, the happier they will be. For example, in the Tao-te Ching Lao-tzu states, “If you want to be a great leader,/ you must learn to follow the Tao./ Stop trying to control./Let go of fixed plans and concepts,/ and the world will govern itself.” (Verse 57)
In Lao-tzu’s writing he refers to the governing body as master. If things happen as nature intends them there will be no need for the Master to make promises he cannot and does not intend to keep. For instance line 16 verse 29 of the Tao-te Ching, “The Master sees things as they are/ without trying to control them./She lets them go their own way,/ and resides at the center of the circle.” Lao-tzu takes into consideration the individuals and what they can do for themselves, not what they can do for the master. The Master completes the task at hand and does not brag on himself. When this is done the people will think they have done the thing on their own and be proud. Lao-tzu believes people will do the right thing. Wealth and possession of lavish material things are of no concern. In a sense let go of desired things rather than needs. As Lao-tzu sees it when one person has no more than his neighbor he will not desire to have what he does not. Therefore theft will be nonexistent. Lao-tzu does not believe in the use of weapons, man should have no enemies. We are all human and
In Lao-tzu’s writing he refers to the governing body as master. If things happen as nature intends them there will be no need for the Master to make promises he cannot and does not intend to keep. For instance line 16 verse 29 of the Tao-te Ching, “The Master sees things as they are/ without trying to control them./She lets them go their own way,/ and resides at the center of the circle.” Lao-tzu takes into consideration the individuals and what they can do for themselves, not what they can do for the master. The Master completes the task at hand and does not brag on himself. When this is done the people will think they have done the thing on their own and be proud. Lao-tzu believes people will do the right thing. Wealth and possession of lavish material things are of no concern. In a sense let go of desired things rather than needs. As Lao-tzu sees it when one person has no more than his neighbor he will not desire to have what he does not. Therefore theft will be nonexistent. Lao-tzu does not believe in the use of weapons, man should have no enemies. We are all human and
Cited: Jacobus, Lee A. "LAO-TZU Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's, 2006. 21-31. Print. Jacobus, Lee A. "Niccolò Machiavelli The Qualities of the Prince." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's, 2006. 37-52. Print.