Machiavellis verses Lao Tzus Thoughts Concerning Human Morality - Assignment Example

Download file to see previous pages Lao’s sayings emanate from a detached view of a universal ruler, as compared to the personal sayings of Machiavelli that embodies a set of directives for a particular prince. However, both of them are brief and to the point. Each segment of their discussion is terse and economical. They both present their ideas to the human race with a biblical tone. Although Machiavelli suggests that it is hopeless to change a rotten human society, Lao Tzu asserts that humanity can be modified for the better by following a natural moral view of life.
Machiavelli quoted that any man who wished to pursue goodness at all times will not succeed when he is among evil people (224). Machiavelli claims that although a man may desire to be always good, he will not succeed given the multitude of the evil people. Instead of the person becoming better and changing others, the others will choke his goodness. The rotten society in which people live thus devours any good intention of an individual. However, Lao Tzu would respond differently to this statement. Lao Tzu explicitly says that a country should be centered around the Tao and render evil powerless. He says that although evil will always be there, people will be able to avoid its way. Evil will thus disappear if people do not give it something to oppose (Lao Tzu 208).
A Tao is a way of becoming attuned to cycles of change. It is a state where one becomes consciously aware of his or her place in the life’s web. The person acts as per the principles of naturalness, spontaneity, and ease. Lao Tzu thus claims that even though evil is here to stay, people can escape from it by believing and acting according to Tao. Lao Tzu holds onto a belief that it is possible to change the atmosphere by centering people around Tao (208). Machiavelli, on the other hand, is of the opinion that this is not true. Machiavelli believes that people are naturally evil. When one man tries to be good, others become comparatively bad. Eventually, the world tends to be shaped by society. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More