Confucius

Confucius, 551 BC

On good government

1. A good ruler is a superior man.
2. He is a model of the morality he would like his subjects to cultivate.
3. Culture and tradition are more effective in shaping the behavior and ideals of the people than legal and penal codes.
4. A good ruler will appoint as officials only those men who share his commitment to principles.
5. The social and material well-being of the people are formost in his mind.
6. Government must be fiscally sensitive, mindful of the heavy burden taxation places on the people.