The Tao Teh Ching or the Book of Tao, a 2500 year old manuscript written by Laotse or "wise teacher" was never meant to be scholarly, as it originated before writing was know. From The Book of Tao, translated by Frank J. MacHovec, Peter Pauper Press, Inc., White Plains New York. 1962.

The Ancient followers of Tao (the Way): so wise, so subtle, so profound, so deeply understanding that they were themselves misunderstood. They must therefore be described.

As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and next, the people hate. If you have no faith people will have no faith in you, and you must resort to oaths. When the best leader’s work is done the people say: "We did it ourselves!"

To be elevated by the people, speak like their inferior. To lead the people, walk behind them. Thus the truly wise are above, but people do not feel their weight. They walk in front, but people do not feel blocked. The whole world respects and never grows tired of such leadership. Because the truly wise are not aggressive, no one is aggressive toward them.

Leaders should not seek power or status; people will not then crave power or status. The truly wise lead by instilling humility and open-mindedness, by providing for fair livelihoods, by discouraging personal ambition, and by helping people to be upright.

Govern passively, the people are happy. Govern precisely, the people are restless. When the state is self-righteous, self-righteousness becomes strategy, and good becomes evil.

Rule a great state as you cook a small fish; do not overdo it! Rule with wisdom and evil departs. Evil will still have power, but it will not harm the people. Then, not only does evil cease to do harm, the ruler also ceases to do harm and therefore both possess wisdom.

Rule by what is right. Wage war by clever strategy. Win the world by being passive. How do I know? By this; more restrictions (regulations) mean weaker people, more weapons mean a troubled state; more cunning means many surprises; more laws mean more violators. Therefore be passive and the people will be peaceful; be serene and the people will be principled; be reserved and the people will be wealthy; be selfless and the world will be simple and serene.

When Tao is lost, words like ‘humanity" and "justice" become official doctrines. Then "knowledge" and "wisdom" become official goals. With all this great hypocrisy comes.

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Niccolo Machiavelli

Who was he:Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, writer, humanist and historian who lived in Florence during the Renaissance. He is best known as one of the founders of modern political science.

In his famous book Il Principe (The Prince), he advocated the philosophy that rulers should do whatever is necessary to enforce order. The book was hailed as a primer for rulers because it specified how a ruler could gain and keep power.

In The Prince, Machiavelli implied that it is better to rule by fear than to rule because one is loved by his people. In fact, according to Machiavelli, a ruler is justified in resorting to questionable methods if it advances the interest of the state. Moreover, Machiavelli believed that the main objective of a nation's leader is to acquire and maintain his power over the state by whatever means necessary. He further advocated that "hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil." In other words, morality was no formula for successful leadership.

Machiavellianism advocates achieving goals by any means possible, whether morally good or bad. For his philosophy and writings, Machiavelli was attacked as a promoter of evil and his books were banned by the Church.

Yet his philosophy became popular, impacting political leaders and writers such as Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII, Adam Smith, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Francis Bacon, John Milton, Descartes and even the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Machiavellian-based leadership has prevailed over the centuries and appears to be even more common in modern times. Machiavellian philosophy has even influenced many business leaders of today, who employee monopolization of industries, manipulation of government officials, deliberate concealment of the truth and other unscrupulous business practices.