One day, Confucius was asked by one of his disciples about the ingredients of good government. His answer: “Sufficient food, sufficient weapons, and the confidence of the common people.”

“But,” asked the disciple, “suppose you had no choice but to dispense with one of those three, which would you forego?”

“Weapons,” said Confucius.

His disciple persisted: “Suppose you were then forced to dispense with one of the two that are left, which would you forego?”

Replied Confucius, “Food. For from of old, hunger has been the lot of all men, but a people that no longer trusts its rulers is lost indeed” (Confucius, The Analects).