SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 17.1

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    Juan

    The ruler’s misfortune lies in trusting others; to trust others is to be controlled by them. Ministers share no blood bond with their ruler. Bound by power, they have no choice but to serve him.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 16.2

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    Juan

    There are three forms of seizure of royal power: open seizure, affair‑based seizure, and punishment‑based seizure.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 16.1

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    Juan

    A ruler has three safeguards. When the three safeguards are fully maintained, the state is secure and the ruler honored; when they are neglected, the state is endangered and the ruler imperiled. What are the three safeguards?

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 15

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    Juan

    These signs of ruin do not mean certain destruction, only potential collapse. Two Yao‑like sage kings cannot conquer each other; two Jie‑like tyrants cannot destroy each other. The rise or fall of states depends on imbalance between order‑chaos and strength‑weakness. A tree breaks only after rot, a wall collapses only after cracks. Yet a…

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.6

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    Juan

    A proverb says: “The leper pities the king.” Though irreverent, ancient proverbs are never groundless and must be examined. It refers to rulers seized, murdered, and brought to death by ministers.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.5

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    Juan

    Scholars of the age persuade rulers not by saying “use awe‑inspiring authority to restrain treacherous ministers”, but only by saying “practice benevolence, righteousness, kindness and love”. Contemporary rulers admire the reputation of benevolence and righteousness without examining their real consequences. Thus in severe cases states perish and rulers die; in mild cases territories shrink…