New politics is not so different from very old politics, it seems….

By Joshua 1:7-8....

By Lao-Tzu (date uncertain, but around the 8th Century B.C....

By Pericles (5th Century B.C.)....

 
 
 

In Joshua 1:7-8, 16-18, the Deuteronomic history has Joshua, the great proponent of the Jewish law, say….

 

 

….only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in Accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.

[Joshua 1:7-8]

 
 
 

The earliest liberal intellectual in China was Lao-Tzu, who founded Taoism. A diminutive amount is known of his lifetime, but he was a personal acquaintance of Confucius after 600 B.C. Like Confucius he came from the Sung region and was a minor aristocrat of the Yin Dynasty.

He was critical on one of the earliest Chinese anarchists (Chuang-Tzu’s) quotes….

 

 

….‘A thousand ounces of gold is indeed a great reward, and the office of chief minister is truly an elevated position. But have you, sir, not seen the sacrificial ox awaiting the sacrifices at the royal shrine of state? It is well cared for and fed for a few years, caparisoned with rich brocades, so that it will be ready to be led into the Great Temple. At that moment, even though it would gladly change places with any solitary pig, can it do so? So, quick and be off with you! Don't sully me, I would rather roam and idle about in a muddy ditch, at my own amusement, than to be put under the restraints that the ruler would impose. I will never take any official service, and thereby I will satisfy my own purposes.’

 
 
.…He was critical in retrospect of Chuang-Tzu’s above rejection of laissez faire attributes and supportive of his own prevention of any one party rule.
 
 

Pericles, a Greek Golden Age orator and general, during and between the Persian and Peleponnesian Wars.

On demos….

 

 

….'our polity does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. It is called a democracy, because not the few but the many govern. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition.'’

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Old words and statements ring true today.
 
Please tell me if you think I am wrong. :) :(

Lao-Tzu.