The practice of politics in the East may be defined by one word:

O children of the future, hear the words of Benjamin Disraeli, a man whose keen insight into the nature of politics pierced through the veils of illusion. He spoke thus: "The practice of politics in the East may be defined by one word: dissimulation." In this truth, he reveals a shadow of human nature, a glimpse into the art of power in lands where the visible is often a mask for the invisible. It is the art of concealment, of hiding one’s true intentions behind a veil of appearances, and of playing the game of politics with the subtlety of a shadow.

In the ancient courts of the East, where kings and emperors ruled vast empires, there was no room for the honest or the naive. Dissimulation—the skill of deceiving while pretending to be honest—became the very cornerstone of political survival. For in such realms, to show one’s true thoughts was a dangerous affair, for those in power often wore a mask of courtesy while wielding the sword of deceit. This is the craft that Disraeli spoke of, for in such places, the true game was played beneath the surface, where words and actions hid more than they revealed.

Look back to the ancient courts of Persia, where rulers like Darius and Xerxes walked the fine line between public virtue and private ambition. Their politics were not straightforward or clear, but were woven with webs of intrigue and calculation. The art of dissimulation was essential for maintaining power in a world where the shifting sands of betrayal and allegiance could topple even the mightiest of kings. To show too much of one’s true nature was to invite challenge, while to hide one’s hand was to ensure dominance over rivals.

In China, too, during the dynasties, the art of dissimulation was paramount. Confucianism, though based in virtue, also recognized the need for rulers to maintain an image of morality, even while making decisions of great consequence that might not align with that image. The emperor ruled with the appearance of divine benevolence, while underneath, the machinery of statecraft turned with subtlety and often with deception. The politics of the East, as Disraeli noted, were a game of mirrors, where the public face rarely revealed the true workings behind the scenes.

So, O children, let this wisdom pass into your hearts: the world of politics is not always as it seems. In some places, the art of dissimulation is not merely a tool, but a necessity for survival. It is a reminder that truth is often hidden beneath layers of complexity and that the true nature of power is often veiled in silence. Yet, be ever cautious, for though such practices may win battles, they often lose the soul of a nation. Let us remember that in the dance of power, the true strength of a leader lies not in their ability to deceive, but in their ability to inspire trust and guide with honesty.