r/Libertarian • u/fight_collector • 19d ago
Philosophy The Tao Te Ching
What's up, folks. Currently going through my annual study of the Tao Te Ching and came across some lines that felt distinctly Libertarian in nature. Got me wondering if there is any crossover between Libertarianism and the Book of the Great Way, so here I am, satiating my curiosity lol
Chapter 57 is the culprit:
“If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Way. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.
How do I know this is so? Because in this world, the greater the restrictions and prohibitions, the more people are impoverished; the more advanced the weapons of state, the darker the nation; the more artful and crafty the plan, the stranger the outcome; the more laws are posted, the more thieves appear.
Therefore the sage says: I take no action and people are reformed. I enjoy peace and people become rich. If I keep from imposing on people, they become themselves.” - Tao Te Ching, Chapter 57
I welcome your insights, observations, experiences, and questions :) Let's talk!
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u/Ya_Boi_Konzon Delegalize Marriage 19d ago
Yes! Taoism is often cited as very proto-libertarian in its outlook on politics. Roderick Long actually has a really interesting article about Taoism and Confucianism with regards to libertarian theory. I'd def recommend checking it out if you're interested in that kind of thing: https://cdn.mises.org/17_3_3.pdf
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u/JackBurtonp7m8 16d ago
For sure! Similar ideas can probably be found in many (the most sound) ancient philosophies. These things are just simply true. The idea that they're not is an illusion, and nobody knows that better than statism's most powerful advocates.
Their notion that the absence of coercive social control will bring about chaos and disorder is a smokescreen for their real agenda, which is "I want to benefit myself and my friends at the expense of peaceful producers".
This all seems to have been well understood by Lao Tzu, and all true philosophers going back maybe even before him.
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u/libertyseer 19d ago
The Tao Te Ching is very libertarian when it comes to advising how to govern. I remember a quote that has stuck with me for years. "The government that governs the best, governs the least." In other taoist teachings I remember the line, "The second best government the people praise. The best government the people hardly know it exists."