Tao Te Ching Chapter 17

17th Chapter
The greatest leader is one who does good things which his people barely notice.
A good leader is one whom they love and praise.
A lesser leader is one they fear.
The worst leader is one they despise.
How will people not trust their leader unless he is not trustworthy.
The greatest leader is the one you don’t notice doing much, because he speaks with care and judicioulsy.
When things get done people don’t even notice.
It happens so naturally, that they will say, “we did it ourselves.”

Implications from the Holy Books

Lay not aside the fear of God, O kings of the earth, and beware that ye transgress not the bounds which the Almighty hath fixed. Observe the injunctions laid upon you in His Book, and take good heed not to overstep their limits. Be vigilant, that ye may not do injustice to anyone, be it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path.

Beware not to deal unjustly with anyone that appealeth to you, and entereth beneath your shadow. Walk ye in the fear of God, and be ye of them that lead a godly life. Rest not on your power, your armies, and treasures. Put your whole trust and confidence in God, Who hath created you, and seek ye His help in all your affairs. Succor cometh from Him alone. He succoreth whom He will with the hosts of the heavens and of the earth. —Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 118

Know ye that the poor are the trust of God in your midst. Watch that ye betray not His trust, that ye deal not unjustly with them and that ye walk not in the ways of the treacherous. Ye will most certainly be called upon to answer for His trust on the day when the Balance of Justice shall be set, the day when unto every one shall be rendered his due, when the doings of all men, be they rich or poor, shall be weighed.  — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 118

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