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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Ruling a country effectively is executed through a variety of methods. Lao-Tzu‚ a follower of Taoism‚ expresses his belief on the most efficient way to govern. "The more prohibitions you have‚ the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have‚ the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have‚ the less self-reliant people will be" (25). This quote from Lao-Tzu can be interpreted many different ways. The author discusses what he feels the role of a leader should be‚ the restrictions
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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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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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SUN TZU: ART OF WAR Sun Tzu is the author of “Art of War”‚ one of the most influential and sought-after books about strategies in battles. However‚ the Art of War now applied in other fields like politics‚ business‚ sports and many more. Sun Tzu is a military general and philosopher who led several battles into a success with the use of deception‚ manipulation and unpredictable tactics. Sun Tzu was believed to have lived in the period of warring states. He worked under the leadership of Wu‚ a
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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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As time has progressed‚ small civilizations have popped up throughout the earth‚ creating many groups of people‚ in all regions of the world. Around 1000 BCE‚ the world consisted of many city-states who eventually combined into large empires. One such empire is what is currently known as China. Originally‚ this empire was ruled by the Great Sage Rulers. These emperors taught their people the secrets of agriculture and medicine. The entire empire prospered‚ however‚ as the need for resources increased
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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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English III 29 August 2013 Compare and Contrast Essay Loved or Feared‚ but Not 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
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Professor Mack Comparative Government (POLS 1220.32) 13 December 2011 The Art of Self-Interest: Sun-Tzu and Thucydides “Being fond of the truth‚ I am an admirer of antiquity‚” writes Confucius. (Kaplan‚ 40) The past contains lessons that apply to the future‚ because while time‚ place‚ individuals and creed change‚ people as a whole do not. The motivations are always the same. “Thus‚ as Aron notes‚ while our ideals have usually been peaceful‚ history has often been violent. Though this should
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