Dao De Jing

17. Rulers

The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects;

The next best are loved and praised;

The next are feared;

The next despised:

They have no faith in their people,

And their people become unfaithful to them.

When the best rulers achieve their purpose

Their subjects claim the achievement as their own.

18. Hypocrisy

When the Way is forgotten

Duty and justice appear;

Then knowledge and wisdom are born

Along with hypocrisy.

When harmonious relationships dissolve

Then respect and devotion arise;

When a nation falls to chaos

Then loyalty and patriotism are born.