Lau Tzu (Picture on the Left) was an ancient Chinese philosopher who created the philosophy of Taoism. He was the author of the Tao te Ching which influenced many people in their way of life.
Niccolo Machiavelli (Picture on the Right) was a Italian political philosopher during the renaissance period. He was known for his creation of The Prince, which has also influenced people of his time.
Views of Government
Lau Tzu
Lau Tzu who was a philosopher during the Zhou Dynasty, he was very influential to the people of that time. Lau Tzu thought the ideal government was a simple one, one without conflict, and followed the flow of how things were given naturally. He was the figure of the practice known as Daoism. Daoism is the practice of meditation, chant scriptures, and different kinds worships to different gods and goddesses. The Tao Te Ching describes the Dao meaning the path; its described as being like the bible. The Dao is supposed to be the path to a joyful life in perfect harmony. The way to do that is to learn Wu Wei which means flowing or to do something with effortless action. It requires you to live in the natural way of the Dao. Instead of having plans we need to experience the world as it is given. Ultimately, the purpose of Lau Tzu ideal government is a ruler who isn't harsh and doesn't force things, rather let it happen.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli on the other was very different from Lau Tzu. His idea of a perfect government consisted of a totalitarian like government. The goal of this idea of government was for a Prince to have control over the people. Niccolo Machiavelli was a late 15th century diplomat, a general, and enemy of the state at one point in time. He was a failed politician who was most remember by two works The Politician and The Disclosures. He believed it was impossible to be a good politician and a good person in a Christian sense. Instead of being nice you have to be effective. A good prince defends state external and internal threats to stable governance. People shouldn't find him soft and easy to run over, but they shouldn't find him to harsh where people can't approach him. The overall purpose of Machiavelli's ideal government is for a Prince to have strong control over the government through moral principals.Obligations of Rulers
Lau Tzu
Tzu thought the only obligation a ruler should have is to let its political system follow its own course. There wasn't really any obligations besides being a relaxed ruler. They did nothing to get things done own its own path.
Niccolo Machiavelli
The obligation of a Prince in Machiavelli's view is to be ready to fight. This included making sure the people knew how to fight as well. A Prince was supposed to do what's best for himself, even if that mean lying to his people.
Main Work of State
Lau Tzu
Tzu wanted people to have a mind of their own and form their own opinion. The goal was for them to have their own state of mind.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Machiavelli wanted enemy's to know that they were ready to fight. The state of mind was very arrogant and coincident.
The Princes of Each Philosopher
Lau Tzu
Lau Tzu Master didn't talk about what he was doing, he just took action of what needed to be done. He wanted people to learn but they had to learn on their own as well. This allowed them to not be influenced into things.
"If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them."-Lau Tzu
Niccolo Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli Princes job is to be strong and ready to fight. Not only to fight but to make the people feel like they need him. His full attention is protecting his people, but in a way to make them think he's their only hope in any situation.
"It is much safer to be feared than loved because... love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broke at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear perseveres you by a dread of punishment which never fails."-Niccolo Machiavelli
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