Lao Tzu People Quotations

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'

The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.

People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

People in their handling of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.

To lead people, walk beside them... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'

When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.

Those who make their living by collecting taxes cause the people to starve; when the people starve, the tax collectors, having no one to tax starve also

Arms are instruments of ill omen. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men. When great numbers of people are killed, one shou

Of the best rulers, The people only know that they exist; the next best they love and praise the next they fear; and the next they revile. When they do not command the people's faith, some will lose faith in them, and then they resort to oaths! But of the best when their task is accomplished, their work done, the people all remark, ''We have done it ourselves.''

Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say ""We have done this ourselves"".

A good manager is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him.