17
A leader is best
When people barely know he exists,
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him,
Worse when they despise him.
‘Fail to honor people
They fail to honor you;’
But of 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 Laotzu (600+ B.C.)
Translated by Witter Bynner
