A tribesman of the Di people presented thick fox‑skins and dark leopard‑skins to Duke Wen of Jin. Receiving the gifts, the duke sighed: “These beasts bring misfortune upon themselves because of their beautiful pelts.”
Rulers may incur disaster from their fame, as King Yan of Xu did; states may incur disaster from their cities and lands, as Yu and Guo did. Hence the saying: “No crime is greater than being desirable to others.”
Note
This passage delivers a political warning: wealth, fame and abundant territory make states and rulers targets of greed; being too desirable is the greatest source of disaster.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He uses historical anecdotes to illustrate the danger of being coveted.
Duke Wen of Jin
Duke Wen of Jin was a famous ruler of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BCE) of ancient China. He is widely regarded as one of the Five Hegemons (Five Overlords) who dominated the other states and maintained order under the nominal authority of the Zhou king.
King Yan of Xu
A benevolent ruler of the Xu state, whose renown attracted aggression and led to his fall.
Yu and Guo
Two small states destroyed because their fertile land and cities tempted stronger powers.
Beast‑Pelt Metaphor
Fine animal pelts symbolize wealth, beauty, fame and territory – qualities that arouse greed and bring ruin.
Covetability as the Root of Disaster
Han Fei’s core lesson: being desirable to others is itself a fatal vulnerability for individuals and states.
Pre‑Qin Historical Exemplars
He cites well‑known pre‑Qin state‑ruin stories to prove the Daoist principle of avoiding excessive attractiveness that stirs desire.
翟人有獻豐狐、玄豹之皮於晉文公，文公受客皮而歎曰：「此以皮之美自為罪。」夫治國者以名號為罪，徐偃王是也。以城與地為罪，虞、虢是也。故曰：「罪莫大於可欲。」
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