God is sovereign over all human institutions. Hence, the first principle of leadership is that governments should operate in conformity with heavenly law.
Leaders should fear God and govern their people in a way that is acceptable to Him. Leadership is not only a public trust; it is also a position of God’s vicegerent.
Therefore, God would wish that a country’s leaders be imbued with spiritual values. Kings and presidents should recognize that they are accountable to God, who is not slow to punish those who violate His trust. They are also accountable to rule according to the higher law by which God intends to order human affairs.
The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth upon a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. Samuel 23.3-4
O David! We indeed set you as a vicegerent on earth; therefore, judge aright between men. Do not follow not the lusts of your heart, for they will mislead you from the path of God. Qur’an 38.26
Heaven hears and sees as our people hear and see; Heaven brightly approves and displays its terrors as our people brightly approve and would fear; such connection is there between the upper and lower worlds. How reverent ought the masters of the earth to be! Book of History 2.3.3, Counsels of Kao Yao (Confucianism)
If [a ruler] enjoins fear of God, the Exalted and Glorious, and dispenses justice, there will be great reward for him; and if he enjoins otherwise, it redounds on him. Hadith of Muslim (Islam)
Revere the anger of Heaven, And presume not to make sport or be idle. Revere the changing moods of Heaven, And presume not to drive about at your pleasure. Great Heaven is intelligent, And is with you in all your goings. Great Heaven is clear-seeing, And is with you in your wanderings and indulgences. Book of Songs, Ode 254 (Confucianism)
Neither cities nor States nor individuals will ever attain perfection until the small class of philosophers whom we termed useless but not corrupt are providentially compelled, whether they will or not, to take care of the State, and until a like necessity be laid on the State to obey them; or until kings, or if not kings, the sons of kings or princes, are divinely inspired with a true love of true philosophy. Plato, The Republic 6 (Hellenism)
Step beyond what is human, elect for the Divine Word, and establish your leadership. Atharva Veda 7.105 (Hinduism)
If your kingdom exists for the doctrine and not for fame or desire, then it will be extremely fruitful. If not, its fruit will be misfortune. Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 327 (Buddhism)
When you set a king over you… When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, from that which is in charge of the Levitical priests, and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them; that his heart may not be lifted up above his brethren, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left; so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel. Deuteronomy 17.14-20
You, leaning on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and revering it, doing homage to it, hallowing it, being yourself a banner of the Dhamma, a signal of the Dhamma, having the Dhamma as your master, should provide the right watch, ward, and protection for your own people, for the army, for the nobles, for vassals, for brahmins, and householders, for town and country dwellers, for the religious world, and for beasts and birds. Throughout your kingdom, let no wrongdoing prevail. And whosoever in your kingdom is poor, to him let wealth be given. Digha Nikaya 3.60-61, Chakkavatti-sihanada Suttanta (Buddhism)
Sun Myung Moon
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
A true leader is one who wants, on behalf of God, to establish God’s will and heavenly law on this earth. (11:172, July 9, 1961)
We should be like God’s shadow. Only when we become completely one with God as His object partner, like His shadow, can we lead others in any situation. Only then can we lift our heads and speak with authority. (237:144, November 13, 1992)
It is difficult to maintain order in the world and protect public prosperity and peace as long as political leaders conduct affairs while ignoring moral and spiritual values. No political power or earthly authority should stand above God and the heavenly law. (359:323, November 8, 2001)
Ideally, the president and representatives in Congress should all have Christian values. They should all pass that test. Does God approve of the separation of religion from politics? Is God only the God of religion?
If the Christian nations continue to separate religion from politics, in the future they will face certain doom. Yet even now it is not too late for a movement to break down the barriers between denominations, in order that Christians may speak as one strong voice to the political leadership.
Then the world will have a path to a bright future. The United Nations and the United States should be governed with the support of people with Christian values. Christians should also be at the forefront of the movement for world unity. (93:81-82, May 15, 1977)
Now the time has come for religious people to demonstrate their leadership. It cannot be leadership from blind faith, narrow-mindedness, arrogance, or self-righteousness. True leadership is altruistic and based upon God’s Will.
We religious people should reflect deeply and recognize that we are responsible for many of the absurdities and problems in this age. We have not become exemplary in practicing love.
Furthermore, we need to repent that we have not exerted ourselves for world salvation because we have been preoccupied with saving ourselves or benefiting our tribe. Now, truly, not only should we have faith, but we also need to practice love. (234:273, August 26, 1992)
Who decides whether a policy is good or bad?
What standard can you use to assess it? It is not for the leader of the free world or the leader of the communist world to make that judgment. It can only be made by the Owner who rules history and moves heaven and earth—by whatever name you call Him. (104:206, May 6, 1979)
Sun Myung Moon