Tao Te Ching Chapter 17

 

Of the best rulers

The people (only) know that they exist;

The next best the love and praise;

The next they fear;

And the next they revile.

 

When they do not command the people's faith,

Some will lose faith in them,

And then they resort to oaths!

But (of the best) when their task is accomplished,

their work done,

The people all remark, 'We have done it ourselves.'