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By avoiding extremes, a sage can avoid conflict.
"Therefore the sage:
Eliminates extremes
Eliminates excess
Eliminates arrogance" (Chapter 29)
Sage prefers Non-action:
This is the most vital attribute of a sage. The sage doesn't seek to impose or interfere and hence let people follow him on their own will. There is no compulsion in sage's rule. The sage seeks to rule people by example instead of force. He quietly observes and does and people then do the same as he wishes because they like the way the sage acts.
Therefore the sage says:
I take unattached action, and the people transform themselves
I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves
I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves
I have no desires, and the people simplify themselves (Chapter 57)
Sage doesn't believe in ostentation:
A sage is a person of calm action which means that while he does what he must do, he does it in a way that doesn't appear "showy" or ostentatious. He seeks to accomplish without any desire for praise...
He seeks to do his work without looking for credit and this makes him an ideal person and ruler in Tao Te Ching.
Therefore the sages are:
Righteous without being scathing
Incorruptible without being piercing
Straightforward without being ruthless
Illuminated without being flashy (Chapter 58)
Conclusion
In Tao Te Ching, there are many aspects of politics discussed in great detail and one aspect is the role of a sage. But Taoism doesn't want only rulers to be sages, it seeks to see these attributes in everyone but it most certainly assigns the role of an ideal ruler only to a sage with certain special attributes. The basic tenet behind these attributes is unity with the Tao. The Tao is the source of real power and energy and when a person unites with Tao, he doesn't need to impose himself on anyone or exert his influence anywhere. It is all done on behalf of him by virtue of his unity with Tao energy and power.
Reference:
All references to Tao Te Ching come from: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm [accessed 28th November 2009]
Reference:
All references to Tao Te Ching come from: http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm [accessed 28th November 2009]
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