SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 31.3

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    Juan

    This excerpt comes from “Canon Two: Conflicting Interests” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries Part II‑Six Subtleties. One of Han Fei’s most radical propositions, it rejects Confucian moral narratives of loyal ministers and reduces the ruler‑minister bond to a cold‑blooded interest formula: when ministers gain benefit, the sovereign’s interest perishes.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 31.2

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    Juan

    This excerpt is from “Canon One: Delegated Authority” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries Part II, the first of the Six Subtleties and a core political axiom. In concise wording, it reveals the “first law of power physics”: once power is delegated, it can hardly be reclaimed.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 31.1

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    Juan

    This excerpt is the general outline of Han Feizi · Inner Congeries Part II. It summarizes the Six Subtleties, six insidious perils posed by ministers. Interlinked, these hazards form a complete causal chain from power erosion to state ruin.

  • 如出一口 (rú chū yī kǒu)

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    Ana

    *Rú chū yī kǒu (如出一口)* is an ancient Chinese idiom from Han Feizi. It literally means words coming out of one mouth. Derived from a household deception story, it describes multiple people delivering identical statements. It may refer to genuine shared opinions or coordinated false testimony, matching the English phrase “speak with one voice”.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.15

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    Juan

    This excerpt is from Explanation Seven in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Han Fei argues rulers should feign false appearances and use contrary words to probe suspects. Setting lures entraps them and lays bare their treacherous intentions.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 30.14

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    Juan

    This excerpt comes from Explanation Six in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Han Fei holds rulers should confront ministers with confirmed facts. Exposing one lie creates widespread fear of the ruler’s omniscience, restraining all hidden treacherous acts.