17

A leader is best

When people barely know that he exists,

Not so good when people obey and acclaim him,

Worse when they despise him.

‘Fail to honor people,

They failed to honor you;’

But a good leader, who talks little,

When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,

They will all say, ‘We did this ourselves.‘

   The Way of Life According to Lao Tzu

   Translated by Witter Bynner