Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
- Looks like it's time for the TTC's opinion on what makes a good ruler.
- The best rulers are so subtle and good at what they do that the people don't even notice them.
- The next best are not as subtle, but they're still good, so they get mountains of praise from the people.
- Things start going seriously downhill when a ruler rules though fear.
- And we've hit rock-bottom when a ruler is totally incompetent and despised.
- The TTC advises us to have no trust in rulers who don't have any trust in themselves.
- The rulers who are seriously the best of the best do things calmly and are careful with their words.
- They get things done in such a natural, unassuming way that the people think they got everything done all by themselves.