Laozi · Philosophy
Laozi’s political vision: the best government governs least. Rule a great state as you cook a small fish - with the lightest touch, for too much poking ruins it. The finest ruler is the one the people barely know exists, and under whom they say of their flourishing, ‘we did it ourselves.’
You learned that Laozi applied wu wei to politics: govern a great state like cooking a small fish (minimal interference), the best ruler is one the people barely notice, and heavy-handed control breeds the very disorder it tries to prevent. Explain Laozi’s ideal ruler and why he thought less governing means bett…
Leads to Marcus Aurelius.
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