The Tao-te Ching by Lao-Tzu and The Prince by Machiavelli Essay

The Tao-te Ching by Lao-Tzu and The Prince by MachiavelliThroughout history, it can be argued that at the core of the majority of thriving societies has stood an effective allocation of leadership. Accordingly, in their respective works The Tao-te Ching and The Prince, Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli have sought-after(a) to reach a more complete understanding of this relationship. The theme of policy-making leaders and their intricate relationship with society indeed manifests itself at bottom two texts, however, some(prenominal) Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli fire this issue from well-nigh entirely opposite positions. Lao-Tzu appears to focalize the majority of his attention on letting problems or situations involve their level and allowing good to prevail. On the contrary, Machiavelli advocates the necessity for a successful leader, or prince, to take visit of his endeavors, and the skills or qualities necessary to brinytain power, at any cost. Since these thinkers both make an inquiry to what is essentially the same dilemma of effective leadership, it becomes almost a natural progression to juxtapose the two in an childbed to better understand what qualities a prosperous leader must possess. In this brain, when we utilize the rhetorical strategy of compare/contrast as a vehicle to transport us to a more enlightened indication of Lao-Tzu and Machiavellis conclusions, it becomes apparent that Machiavellis effort is much more successful as his practicality serves its purpose much more effectively.Although they share some similarities in ideology, these parallels are greatly overshadowed by the concepts in which Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli diverge. Their primary distinction lies within their view of pitying nature and its role in governing. Lao-Tzu maintains that if we advertise a system of governing to the least possible extent, then human nature should manifest a favorable temperance and dictate the counsellor of society. In fact, Lao-Tzu asserts numerous attemp ts to illustrate his point that if leaders, Stop Trying to control ( 57, 35), then there is no desire ( 37, 24), he dwells in human beings ( 38, 29), and the world will govern itself. ( 57, 35) Although this is an extremely optimistic and beneficial ideal, the main problem with Lao-Tzus entire philosophy is exactly that, it can moreover be viewed as a philosophy. Because it appears under the section entitled Government, I... ...d this consequently deducts from the validity of his advice.As he begins to conclude, Machiavelli states that the prince should think about avoiding those things which make him scorned and despised. (Mach 48) Although these lack any withstanding moral values, they are effective in the sense that they better serve their purpose. Machiavelli was seeking to display a way to confine political power by any means possible non a utopian state. This whitethorn mean malicious acts, imprisonment, and torture, or it may mean the utilization of power to achieve a c ommon good. Machiavelli doesnt elaborate on this. He concentrates on a realistic approach towards government, as he remains concerned with the establishment and protection of power. full treatment CitedBoltz, William G. Lao tzu Tao te ching. In Early Chinese Texts A bibliographical Guide, edited by Michael Loewe. Berkeley University of California, 1993.Kaltenmark, Max. Lao Tzu and Taoism. Translated by Roger Greaves. Stanford Stanford University Press. 1969.Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Trans. Hill Thompson. Norwalk The Easton Press, 2002.The Prince, and Other political Writings, tr. Stephen J. Milner, London, 1995