Questions Lao-Tzu
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Critical Reading Questions Page 33
Lao-tzu claims that the ruler must provide the people with equality and respect if he intends to be leading happy people. According to Verse 66, an understanding of the people is crucial. “You must place yourself below them” is an example provided that reiterates the idea of empathy but also equality. The ruler must not place himself in a mindset greater than the people he is ruling; yet include himself with the people of his land. He must balance a leadership and a respect between himself and his followers.
Lao-tzu mentions a concern for an overall happiness rather than individual happiness. As he seems to strive for happiness for each individual, he doesnt believe in forcing the matter or micromanaging the concept either. Happiness is the union with the Toa. Lao-tzu doesnt believe that the rulers goal should be to make everyone happy but that everyone should have the ability to attain happiness on their own accord. He also makes it clear that a population being “Governed with repression” leads to a mutual state of “Depressed and crafty” (Verse 58.)
A hands-off mentor is the general visual the Lao-tzu portrays towards the people. He shows an attitude of obvious concern for the people and must have a sense of love and understanding from the perception of a follower. His words present protectiveness and advisement to any whom may plan to take on a position as a ruler. He would like to see the people make accomplishments and advancements independently as well as prosper in a peaceful manner by harmony with the Tao.
Lao-tzu does not believe the world can be improved because any interference with the world will lead to nothing but decline. In verse 29, he states “If you tamper it, youll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, youll lose it” which further explains the idea an imperfect Earth being ran with imperfect beings. All humans are flawed, which means any meddling with a being greater than them would result in nothing but more issues. He basically teaches that a ruler shall simply understand that there is a time and place for each quality of Earth and know that there is no controlling it.
“Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place” is a statement that could be translated to todays laissez-faire approach to commercial affairs. Lao-tzu believes that everything has a natural flow and the Tao, being part of it, handles everything. Interference does not need to play a large role in a natural society because, in general, it all works out by itself. The benefits to this statement include the idea that a large government hand isnt needed and a lot of trust is being placed into the population. However, the limits to this statement require a thought of an extreme reality. If everyone actually practiced not-doing anything, nothing would