Confucius believed in the goodness of mankind. The concepts of "Tao" are part of both their ideologies, however, their versions are clearly different. Tao was considered by Confucius to be a force responsible for transforming man into a moral person. He also addressed both moral and societal issues. In contrast, Lao Tzu firmly believes in inaction. He appears to be less concerned with ethics and presumably is focused on achieving nothing. Although it may sound counter-intuitive, inaction is the wisest form of action, being the most harmonious and natural. Individual journeys to finding their true selves ought to be independent of social interaction. Tao, according to Lao Tzu, is the natural force of nature. It encompasses everything at once. Tao cannot be labeled or defined as then it would take on a single expression or entity. There is a different version of Tao for everyone, so it is the responsibility of each person to find their own version.
There are also differences in leadership styles. It is the duty of a leader to make sure his or her people are taken care of, according to Confucius. Leaders who instill goodness in their subjects are considered good leaders. Ideally, a leader should be knowledgeable, educated, and able to make decisions for his people. He wouldn't be excessively proud or greedy, which are characteristics that heavily conflict with Confucius' teachings. Lao Tzu, on the other hand, believed the best way to be a leader is to demonstrate inaction. In general, his role is very small. The people should follow his example and follow the Tao. Often, it is said that one must love oneself first if one is to love the world and treat it with the same care.
