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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Political Stand-off Both Lao-tzu and Machiavelli seem to have a clear-cut view on how they believe the government should run. In some ways‚ both men have very similar ideas; more often‚ though‚ they couldn’t be more opposed. A few similarities brought forth are that people in power must not strive to make everyone happy‚ nor must they be considered unmerciful and they should avoid being despised. The final view they both share is that they believe if the common people think they are happy
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Lao Tzu once said‚ “He who gains victory over other men is strong‚ but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful.” I believe this means that the most powerful person is one who understands and has control over themselves. Richard Wright‚ in his autobiography Black Boy‚ and the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel‚ The Great Gatsby both lend themselves in portraying the truth of this quote. This quote can be interpreted as saying that one who understands and has control over
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Despised Two leaders by the names of Lao Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli had two opinions on how one should lead their people. To be a leader‚ one must guide in the way they think is the best way to live. As humans‚ love and fear is something that surrounds us in our day to day life. Some‚ like Lao Tzu prefer to show love and to be loved‚ while some‚ like Niccolo Machiavelli‚ have the preference to be feared. To be loved means to be cherished‚ and that was Lao Tzu’s goal as a leader. To be feared means
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Lao-Tzu‚ Machiavelli‚ and the American Government Lao-Tzu’s "Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching" and Machiavelli’s "The Qualities of a Prince" both have the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Today’s American government would benefit from a combination of the two extreme ideas. Lao-Tzu’s laissez-faire attitude towards the economy‚ as well as his small scale‚ home defense military is
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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 the “Tao Te Ching” Laozi or Lao Tzu‚ was a mystical philosopher who lived in ancient China. Most scholars believe Lao Tzu was born around 600 B.C.E. However‚ some authorities have him being born about 500 B.C.E. and some‚ question if Lao Tzu was actually a person or just a mythical figure. Generally‚ the majority of scholars believe Lao Tzu to be an actual person being born about 600 B.C.E. in the state of Ch’u‚ now known as the Hunan Province in Southern China according to
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Discussion Questions 4 1.) According to Lao-tzu‚ what must the ruler provide the people with if they are to be happy? “Try to make people happy‚ and you lay the groundwork for misery.” According to Lao-tzu‚ in order to make the people happy‚ the ruler must stop insisting that they find happiness. In verse 66‚ Lao-tzu describes‚ “All streams flow to the sea.” By saying this‚ he is describing that a government must take a position underneath its people in order to ensure their happiness. The government
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Is Government Good or Bad? “In Discussion: Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli’s view on Government” “The Master leads by emptying people’s mind and filling their cores‚ by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know‚ everything they desire‚ and creates confusion in those who think that they know.” (Page 19). This passage supports a number of readings. All of them centered on government. The definition of government is the organization‚ machinery‚ or agency
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12:30 PM Class The way in which a leader governs his country can differ for different countries. Two polar opposites would be Lao-Tzu and Niccolo Machiavelli. They’re both on opposite sides of the spectrum for their ideas on how a leader should govern. Lao-Tzu leans more towards a less intrusive government‚ while Machiavelli believes in powerful rulers. Some of their ideas are shown today in our society‚ some good and some bad. Starting with Machiavelli‚ he says “it is not reasonable for an armed
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