Would you follow a leader that follows these Taoist beliefs?

Question

"When taxes are too high,
people go hungry.
When the government is too intrusive,
people lose their spirit.

Act for the people's benefit.
Trust them; leave them alone."

"Failure is an opportunity.
If you blame someone else,
there is no end to the blame.

Therefore the Master
fulfills his own obligations
and corrects his own mistakes.
He does what he needs to do
and demands nothing of others."

"If a country is governed wisely,
its inhabitants will be content.
They enjoy the labor of their hands
and don't waste time inventing
labor-saving machines.
Since they dearly love their homes,
they aren't interested in travel.
There may be a few wagons and boats,
but these don't go anywhere.
There may be an arsenal of weapons,
but nobody ever uses them.
People enjoy their food,
take pleasure in being with their families,
spend weekends working in their gardens,
delight in the doings of the neighborhood.
And even though the next country is so close

that people can hear its roosters crowing and its dogs barking,
they are content to die of old age
without ever having gone to see it."

"True words aren't eloquent;
eloquent words aren't true.
Wise men don't need to prove their point;
men who need to prove their point aren't wise.

The Master has no possessions.
The more he does for others,
the happier he is.
The more he gives to others,
the wealthier he is.

The Tao nourishes by not forcing.
By not dominating, the Master leads."

"For governing a country well
there is nothing better than moderation.

The mark of a moderate man
is freedom from his own ideas.
Tolerant like the sky,
all-pervading like sunlight,
firm like a mountain,
supple like a tree in the wind,
he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything
life happens to bring his way.

Nothing is impossible for him.
Because he has let go,
he can care for the people's welfare
as a mother cares for her child."

Answer 1

Well, I'm not a "follow the leader" sort of person. But this certainly sounds better than most of the leaders we get stuck with here in the good old USA.

Answer 2

I have noticed the paradox of labor-saving machines (they just increase the volume of labor and the standards.) I eschew a dishwasher, allow laundry to sit awhile before washing, mostly trim weeds by hand and do not wash rugs more than once a year. Judicious use of the devices can help, but buying into the whole "culture of cleanliness" and striving beyond natural limits is not my thing. It is the treadmill of endless work and no satisfaction but to go on to the next bigger thing.

However, this "way" does not sound like something that requires followers. Once a way has followers, something in it rigidifies and it is no longer the way. Contentment cannot be codified.

Answer 3

Well, it sounds like a good place to live, but I'm not sure I would be happy there. I enjoy questioning things and discovering new ideas. How would I fit in in this society?

If we all lived this way, there would be no progression, no improvement; it sounds very undemanding!

An atheist

Answer 4

if a leader does not lead, he has no followers.
if a leader does not stand up against evil, evil rules.
if the leader is kind and gentle, he gets martyred.
if a leader is sweet, merciful, and compassionate,
he is called a fool.
all mankind knows is hell, torture, rape and pillage.
they Won't follow What they Need!!

Answer 5

I'm not sure a Taoist would want to be anyone's leader. But some nice thoughts in there.

Answer 6

Yeah sure...man,
But the trouble is where to find such a leader these days.. they seem to be an extinct species!

Answer 7

Tao is like a bellows.
Sure, it's empty, but it'll get your fire lit.
If you keep using Tao, it works better.
If you keep talking about it, it won't make any sense.

Cheers!

Answer 8

The best leaders....create more leaders.

Answer 9

Now there's a person that is seen rarely,
although his actions are very ordinary.

Answer 10

I don't follow people. However, it sounds like a nice neighborhood. :)