At the onset of the Warring States period in ancient China [c.481-221BCE], both Confucius [the founder of Confucianism] and Lao Tzu [the founder of Taoism] had developed their own means of promoting the Way of Harmony (or Tao). Please compare and contrast the following two quotes from these Chinese masters. What does Confucius mean by his comparison of the effects on society of penal law as opposed to moral excellence and virtue? Why is the cultivation of culture and the observance of religious ritual so important to Confucius? What does Lao Tzu mean by his use of paradoxical or contradictory statements, such as leaders must serve and warriors must seek to avoid violence? Is Lao Tzu's concept of 'non-competition' practical in today's society?

Finally: Which option seems to be more practical in your personal life? Please explain why.

Confucius: 'Lead the people with administrative injunctions and keep them orderly with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and virtue [Te] and keep them orderly through observing ritual propriety [Li] and they will develop a sense of shame, and moreover, will order themselves.'

Lao Tzu: 'The best warriors do not use violence. The best generals do not destroy indiscriminately. The best tacticians try to avoid confrontation. The best leaders become servants of their people. This is called the virtue of non-competition. This is called the power to manage others. This is called attaining harmony with Heaven [Tian].'