Barack Obama

Last edited Fri Aug 30, 2013, 09:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Those who know do not tell; those who tell do not know.

Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.

Wise men don't need to prove their point. Men who need to prove their point aren't wise.

If you overesteem great men, people become powerless.

And this in particular:

A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aims fulfilled, they will all say, "We did this ourselves."

I've seen a lot of abuse heaped on Obama. He would offer those who were against him, what they seemed to want as a peace offering, so they could not complain later in a just manner.

Then his 'own' side turned on him viciously, inciting so much hatred that the 'other' side heard them.

Then both sides joined to oppose that which he did not want to begin with, made him the bad guy. And the bad thing did not happen because people of both sides found common ground.

And both sides claimed victory, over him and the evil idea. Then they said,

"We did this ourselves."

Yes, they did it themselves from both sides, seeing what it was. He laid it out for them to choose. He didn't, like the wise man, need to prove his point or win their praise.

The goal is to make life better for all, not a victory for only half of the people. This is what justice, compassion and equality require for peace.




I read Lao Tze everyday during my teens, so these words percolate up from time to time. I googled to get the exact words for you.

Thanks for the thread.