"The best rulers are those whom the people hardly know exist.
Next come rulers whom the people love and praise.
After that come rulers whom the people fear.
And the worst rulers are those whom the people despise.
The ruler who does not trust the people will not be trusted by the people.
The best ruler stays in the background, and his voice is rarely heard.
When he accomplishes his tasks, and things go well,
The people declare: It was we who did it by ourselves."
-- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (chapter 17)