Well, since this thread seems to be winding down, I'll leave with a parting quote.
Quote:
Zi Gong asked what was needed for government. Confucius said, "Sufficient food, sufficient armaments, and common people's trust in the government." Zi Gong asked, "Suppose you were forced to get rid of one of the three, which one would you get rid of first?" Confucius said, "Armaments." Zi Gong went on asking, "Which one would you get rid of if you were to get rid of one of the remaining two?" Confucius answered, "The food. Although man will die of hunger without food, man has been destined to die since time immemorial. But if people lose their trust in the government then the country has lost its basis."
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