Government of Non-interference

十四

老子

~What is Lao Tzu’s understanding of the state? What is the state for?

~What does Lao Tzu mean by government by non-interference? Would this still be government? Would it effectively meet the goals that the state was constituted to accomplish?

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If a land is ruled by a person of the Tao, then everyone and everything will be live in peace and harmony. The people will live their lives and go on their daily chores without even realising that someone, whose presence is not easily noticed but whose figure is very important is there and he is the one responsible for bringing forth such peacefulness in the land. A Taoist ruler does not command the people to do things his way. He does not interfere with the work of the people and he does not tell them what to do for his trust in them is as strong as the water within him. In turn, the people trusts him too. Because there is faith between him and them, work is done and it is done well. This they do so by following nature. Follow nature, that is, they do not take control of it because it can never be contained. 

A Taoist ruler is not one who acts lavishly nor is he one who does not lift a finger. He procures what is needed without loss nor without excess and so the people are satisfied because nothing is ever short and nothing ever goes to waste. He does not use force because he knows that there is no need for such and because he knows that force would only invite harm. He knows that if he uses force, everything will be destroyed in return. He uses weakness and gentleness to lead and by doing this he succeeds. 

The deeds of the Taoist ruler are well received by the people. Through him they become like him: a person of the Tao. By his non-action the people are inspired to follow him and so they do everything in moderation. His distaste for desire is obtained by the people and so they are simple in their ways and their words. Through his virtues the people are transformed and they too, like him, become one with nature and in harmony with each other. His virtues are his weapons for they are strong but they can never hurt someone. The virtues of a Taoist ruler can serve all and his virtues are that which aids him in being able to overcome diversities. 

Chapter 29 of the Tao Te Ching says that, “When one desires to take over the empire and act on it, I see that he will not succeed.” Why is this so? The very fact that taking over the empire is a desire, it already goes to show that this should not be. Anything that has to do with desires and gratification of the senses is shunned by Taoists and for Lao Tzu, this method will not work. Following, the Taoist philosophy is all about non-action and “taking over the empire” would mean action- it would mean that one would want to take over the empire by force. The following chapter gives us an explanation: He who assists the ruler with Tao does not dominate the world with force. The use of force usually brings requital… because whatever is contrary to Tao will soon perish. 

The use of force can also be expressed in many ways. If a ruler instills fear to the people to gain their respect and their obedience, then this is contrary to the Tao. The Taoist ruler is one who lets the people be. He does not install fear nor does he oppress them. He does not, most important, threaten them by any means. Threatening or taking lives as a form of punishment is not the way to govern a land and the people. Life is not ours and so it is not ours to take: let Heaven do its job. To rule as if you are above all is contrary to nature and contrary to Tao. It can lead to the absence of natural harmony. 

Tao Te Ching, 57

The more taboos and prohibitions there are in the world,

The poorer the people will be.

The more sharp weapons people have.

The more troubled the state will be.

The more cunning and skill man possesses,

The more vicious things will appear.

The more laws and orders are made prominent,

The more thieves and robbers there will be. 

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