Book of the Forest Path
 
 

Chapter 17

translation by Crispin Sartwell, 2003
 
 
 
   
 

The greatest leader is one
of whom the people need not even be aware.
Then there is the one who is loved,
then the one who is held in awe,
then the rest, who are despised.
If you have no trust in the people,
they will show you no trust either.
The real leader acts quietly, without display.
And when he is done, the people say:
we did the right thing, spontaneously.
We must be good.  
 
 

Image courtesy of Linda Allison      Polarity Defined     1999