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Single Idea 6329

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government ]

Full Idea

It is because those in authority are too fond of action that the people are difficult to govern.

Gist of Idea

People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things

Source

Laozi (Lao Tzu) (Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) [c.530 BCE], II.LXXV.181)

Book Ref

Lao Tzu: 'Tao Te Ching', ed/tr. Lau,D.C. [Penguin 1963], p.137

A Reaction

I love this. It should be on the wall of every human institution in our civilization. How the heart sinks at the prospect of a 'new initiative'. Not that I am against action; it is just important to recognise that inaction is sometimes the best option.

The 15 ideas from Laozi (Lao Tzu)

23401 A military victory is not a thing of beauty [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
23402 The highest virtue is achieved without effort [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6319 Wise people choose inaction and silence [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6320 The best rulers are invisible, the next admired, the next feared, and the worst are exploited [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6321 Vulgar people are alert; I alone am muddled [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6325 One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6326 The better known the law, the more criminals there are [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6327 Do good to him who has done you an injury [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6328 To know yet to think that one does not know is best [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6329 People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6330 One with no use for life is wiser than one who values it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6331 Truth is not beautiful; beautiful speech is not truthful [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6324 To gain in goodness, treat as good those who are good, and those who are not [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6322 There is no crime greater than having too many desires [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
6323 Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]