--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a country is governed with tolerance…" description: "\"If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg" --- # If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are… ![“If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg) > “If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Governance based on tolerance yields openness, while repression breeds secrecy and cunning; power driven by lofty ideals often produces poor outcomes, and imposing happiness or morality can backfire, so the wise lead by example, not force. **In simple terms:** Tolerance leads to openness; repression creates secrecy; power can corrupt ideals; imposing happiness or morality can backfire; wise leaders lead by example. Key Takeaway Lead by example, avoid imposing will. Themes governance power ethics leadership Mood thoughtful balanced instructive Type philosophical advisory reflective When to use this quote - political reform - organizational culture change - community conflict resolution - personal leadership development - public policy design Key Concepts tolerance repression idealism vice vice statebuilding education policy socialcontrol psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders foster genuine happiness without creating dependency? - When does moral guidance become coercion? A Different Perspective Imposing moral standards may provoke resistance and unintended consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfortable/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Crafty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafty/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Governed Repression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governed-repression-2476683/) [Governed Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governed-tolerance-3931709/) [Groundwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groundwork/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [Making people happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-people-happy/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pierce/) [Radiant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radiant/) [Repression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repression/) [Repression People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repression-people-1895355/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Straightforward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straightforward/) [Supple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supple/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) [Tolerance People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance-people-675808/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Will power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will-power/) ## Related quotes > [“If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance-the-people-are-comfortable-2/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-te-ching/if-a-country-is-governed-with-repression-the-people-are-depressed-and/) [Tao Te Ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-te-ching/) > [My name became known because I was, one might say accidentally the target of state repression and because so many people throughout the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-davis/my-name-became-known-because-i-was-one-might-say-accidentally-the/) [Angela Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-davis/) > [I would like to assure you that there is no organization or any sort of repression against people who don’t agree with our actions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/i-would-like-to-assure-you-that-there-is-no-organization-or-any-sort/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Attending fully and becoming supple, Can you be as a newborn babe?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/attending-fully-and-becoming-supple-can-you-be-as-a-newborn-babe/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas. Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-mark-of-a-moderate-man-is-freedom-from-his-own-ideas-tolerant/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [All things such as grass and trees are soft and supple in life. At their death they are withered and dry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/all-things-such-as-grass-and-trees-are-soft-and-supple-in-life-at/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-hard-and-stiff-will-be-broken-the-soft-and-supple-will-prevail/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When life begins we are tender and weak When life ends we are stiff and rigid All things, including the grass and trees, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-life-begins-we-are-tender-and-weak-when-life-ends-we-are-stiff/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Man at his birth is supple and tender, but in death, he is rigid and hard. Thus, suppleness and tenderness accompany life, but rigidity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/man-at-his-birth-is-supple-and-tender-but-in-death-he-is-rigid-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-more-prohibitions-you-have-the-less-virtuous-people-will-be-try/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“A wise man has tolerance for such people. A wise man walks away or finds a means of changing the way they think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/a-wise-man-has-tolerance-for-such-people-a-wise-man-walks-away-or/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [ What we always want to say \[in X-men\] is, "It's OK to be yourself, and actually it's a gift to be yourself. Whatever it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-shuler-donner/what-we-always-want-to-say-in-x-men-is-it-s-ok-to-be-yourself-and/) [Lauren Shuler Donner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-shuler-donner/) > [I have a low tolerance for people who complain about things but never do anything to change them. This led me to conclude that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gallop/i-have-a-low-tolerance-for-people-who-complain-about-things-but-never/) [Cindy Gallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gallop/) > [I have a really low tolerance for people who underestimate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-really-low-tolerance-for-people-who-underestimate-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Comfortable quotes > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [How much more comfortable it is to say 'Yes, and...' than 'Yes, but...'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-fagg/how-much-more-comfortable-it-is-to-say-yes-and-than-yes-but/) [Lawrence Fagg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-fagg/) > [If I had my brothers I think with just a little bit of the correct marketing, I'd like to be almost exclusively in small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/if-i-had-my-brothers-i-think-with-just-a-little-bit-of-the-correct/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [I'm more comfortable modelling as a man because I don't get any criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-m-more-comfortable-modelling-as-a-man-because-i-don-t-get-any/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shibani-dandekar/i-m-aware-of-who-i-am-and-i-m-comfortable-with-who-i-choose-to-date/) [Shibani Dandekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shibani-dandekar/) > [Money is only used for two things. One, it's to make you comfortable, and the more comfortable you are the more creative you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/money-is-only-used-for-two-things-one-it-s-to-make-you-comfortable/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [I am comfortable talking about sex scenes and stuff, but to me, when it's physically explicit, I do feel prudish and uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-am-comfortable-talking-about-sex-scenes-and-stuff-but-to-me-when-it/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [There's always gonna be people with a lot of money making film, and the goal is to make profit and carry on. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-howard/there-s-always-gonna-be-people-with-a-lot-of-money-making-film-and/) [Clint Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-howard/) > [There are those that say, if you do the uncomfortable thing long enough, it will become comfortable. But we are really not encouragers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/there-are-those-that-say-if-you-do-the-uncomfortable-thing-long/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [It's like my second home, 'It.' And I would like to return to it, because I feel very comfortable with it, and I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/it-s-like-my-second-home-it-and-i-would-like-to-return-to-it-because/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [I was a bit overweight as a teenager, which may be why I'm more comfortable playing with clothes than showing my body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orla-brady/i-was-a-bit-overweight-as-a-teenager-which-may-be-why-i-m-more/) [Orla Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orla-brady/) > [When you're comfortable with someone you love, the silence is the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britney-spears/when-you-re-comfortable-with-someone-you-love-the-silence-is-the-best/) [Britney Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britney-spears/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [You build the bonds through the community and police force, build bonds of understanding, and then when people feel comfortable in their communities, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kaine/you-build-the-bonds-through-the-community-and-police-force-build/) [Tim Kaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kaine/) [Browse all 4,560 Comfortable quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfortable/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty. When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results. Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery. Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice. Thus the Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose her will. She is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance-the-people-are-comfortable/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comfortable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance-the-people-are-comfortable/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0b/laozi-147_comfortable_if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance_450403.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If a country is governed with...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance-the-people-are-comfortable/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-a-country-is-governed-with-tolerance-the-people-are-comfortable/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```