The Wisdom of Confucius

It is said that the Chinese sage Confucius was walking one day with a few of his disciples at the foot of Mount Tai when he saw from afar a woman wailing over a grave. He quickened his steps toward her, and when he drew near he sent his disciple "Tzu Lu" to ask her what her affliction was. He approached her and said: You wail like one who has been stricken time after time.

She said: And what you say is true. A wild beast devoured my husband's father here. Then the calamity fell upon my husband. And now here is my son, made to drink death from the same cup.

The sage said: Then why do you not leave this place and take refuge in another?

She said: Because there is no oppressive government here.

The sage said: Remember this, my children, and keep it — oppressive governments are worse than beasts of prey.

(Bertrand Russell, in the book "Power")