Laozi on the Essence of Good Government

The Venerable Master (Laozi)

If the people are barely aware that the government exists,

they are happy.

When the government is felt to be oppressive,

they are broken.

Good fortune, alas! builds itself upon misery.

Good fortune, alas! is the mask of misery.

What will come of this? We cannot foresee the end.

Order is upset and turns to disorder, good becomes evil.

The people are confused.

Is it not so, day in, day out, from the beginning?

The wise man is therefore angular, though he does not injure others;

he has sharp corners, though he does not harm;

he is upright but not gruff.

He is clearminded, but he does not try to be brilliant.

–Laozi (老子), Daodejing (道德經) (4th century BCE)