Rulers

 

Of the best rulers

    The people (only) know that they exist;

    The next best they love and praise;

    The next they fear;

    And the next they revile.

    When they do not command the people's faith,

    Some will lose faith in them,

    And then they resort to oath!

    But (of the best) when their task is accomplished, 

    Their work done,

    The people will remark, "We have done it ourselves."