A leader is best when people barely know that he exists.
Less good when they obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they fear and despise him.
Fail to honor people, and they fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
they will say, "We did this ourselves."
No man of honor, as that word is usually understood did ever pretend that his
honor obliged him to be chaste and temperate, to pay his creditors, to
be useful to his country, or to do good to mankind, to endeavor to be
wise or learned, to regard his word, his promise, or his oath....