Comparison Between Machiavelli's Prince And Lao-Tzu

Obtaining Qualities

(A comparison between Machiavelli’s Prince and Lao-tzu’s Tao-te Ching.) What does it mean to be a leader? A leader is a person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. There are many leaders in the world today and each have their own set of qualities they use to rule the country. Qualities such as values, ethics, character, knowledge, beliefs, and effort. In Publishers Weekly Wayne Hogue discusses what he finds a leader should have, “People can aspire to leadership with the intention of manipulating people, but emphasizes that the role of leaders as transformational agents is to improve society. Given this welter of possible motivations to lead, good character is an absolute bedrock. But many of the assertions

A leader who has power cannot let it go to his head, if we have that we will have a tyrant. In the Prince Machiavelli states, “A prince must nevertheless make himself feared in such a manner that he will avoid hatred, even if he does not acquire love…” He is saying that in order to gain respect you must make the people fear you, however, do not push them too far. You just want to have enough fear that they will listen to you and not try to go against you. Ewart in an article talks about religions and how they have people that have so much faith and love in something that they will follow anyone who is up there, however in society he says, “We have had too much talk about leadership and not nearly enough about following,” (David Ewart). Too many people think they are right and stop following the council of their leader that is why Machiavelli and Lao-tzu are trying to write out what they think leaders need to keep people following them. To have their people grasp on to every word they are saying and understand why they are making these decisions. The assets that leaders hold also come in to play with their decision

There are many examples in each of the excerpts of both men trying to say which qualities one must retain to be the best leader possible for their country. An article I found by Donna Rice states, “As with most aspects of highly effective people, effective leadership begins with the individual. Until a person is self-actualized, external relationships and communications are often unpredictable and potentially flawed,” (Donna Rice). We must try to be the best for our people, Lao-tzu said this in his work, “If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with and ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.” Here is just one little piece of advice he gives, there are numerous accounts of what a leader needs to strive for to govern his country so they can be the best. Both in Lao-tzu and Machiavelli’s works, you can find more. The ability to become a leader comes from within you, whether you truly want to be a leader or not. If you have what it takes to become a leader, knowing you have the responsibility to keep the one everyone relies on you safe, make important decisions that could come back a bite not only you but hundreds of people in the butt. There are so many decisions and all you are worried about is making the right decision, the judgment that is best for your