Lao-tzu and Machiavelli are political philosophers writing in two different lands and two different times. Lao-tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher from 6th century BC‚ the author of Tao-te Ching‚ and Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher who lived 2000 years after Lao-tzu’s time‚ author of Prince. They are both philosophers but have totally different perspective on how to be a good leader. While both philosopher’s writing is instructive. Lao-tzu’s advice issues from detached view
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Cathey 1 Cody Cathey English Comp 2 Gena Messersmith February 9‚ 2015 Compare and Contrast Lao Tzu and Machiavelli Most people have differences on multiple things. Preferences change depending on who you are and what your views on life are. This was the case between Lao Tzu and Machiavelli. Most differences start on the subject of war. In Machiavelli ’s story "The Qualities of a Prince"‚ he talks about always being on your toes as a leader. You have to be ready to go to war at all times‚ no matter
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Lao Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli Lao Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli are two philosophies that show the people the basic foundation of how the government should run. They both talk about the art of governing the country. Their views and concepts of what makes a proper leader and how the government should work are extremely different from each other. At the same time‚ their lessons which they both have taught us are still relevant till today for the modern society. Lao Tzu is following the idea of enlightenment
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Lao-tzu vs. Machiavelli Government is the essential authority of a country or state‚ which directly affects society because it provides key securities. How directly involved should the government be in the personal lives of society? To answer this I will look to the ideas of Lao-tzu (sixth century B.C.)‚ believed to be author of the Tao-te Ching‚ and Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)‚ author of The Prince There are few ways in which they are similar‚ but have very opposite views and ideas of government
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Dejéan Flemings Mr. Richard English 360 November 9‚ 2011 Compare/Contrast Essay When utilizing the rhetorical strategy of comparing and contrasting in relationship to literature‚ a number of pieces of can qualify. In particular‚ the idea of leadership is arguably one of the most written about topics with regard to comparing and contrasting. Throughout history‚ it can be argued that the majority of successful societies have been based upon effective divisions of leadership. Accordingly‚ in their
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Lao-tzu vs. Machiavelli Government is the essential authority of a country or state‚ which is directly‚ affects society because it provides key securities. Two of history’s greatest thinkers Lao-tzu‚ authors of the Tao-te Ching‚ and Niccolo Machiavelli‚ author of The Prince have similar but very contrasting ideas of government‚ and how people should be governed. Lao-tzu was born in the Chinese state of Ch’u. He spent most of his life working in the library of the Chou dynasty. Once he decided to
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In the World of Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli Even though Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli were both advisors there was still many differences of the two’s views on how a government should be. A leader is a person who leads or commands a group‚ organization‚ or a country. It does not matter what state‚ country‚ or city someone lives in they are guaranteed to have a leader. Leaders have been around in every era. If considered to be a leader‚ people wanted to be great and admired for what they had done or were
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Reading the works of Machiavelli and Lao-Tzu in succession highlight how truly at opposition the messages are. Though both pieces express the desired way to govern a people‚ the “Tao-te Ching” speaks of peace‚ simplicity‚ and letting the universe work its will‚ while “The Qualities of the Prince” emphasizes the necessity for war‚ and the natural wickedness of men. There are no particular reasons that these two ways of thought should be in harmony‚ one written in the 6th century‚ and the other the
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Comparison of Lao Tzu and Machiavelli It is obvious to most people the differences between black and white‚ light and darkness‚ or Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Many people have different preferences for each of these things‚ as well as different views about them. While one person may argue that Pepsi is the ultimate cola beverage‚ another person may claim that Coca-Cola is the best by far. This is such the case with many different people in this world‚ on many different topics. A prime example of contrasting
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In comparing and contrasting the governmental philosophies of the great thinkers Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli‚ I have found a pleasant mix of both of their ideas would be the best for America today. Lao-Tzu’s laisse-faire attitude towards the economy‚ as well as his small scale military is appealing to my liberal side‚ while Machiavelli’s attitude towards miserliness which causes low taxes appeals to the right wing. These great thinkers contradict the popular saying "all great thinkers think alike." They
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