Guanzi said, “When you see something commendable, let your approval be supported by evidence; when you see something unacceptable, let your disapproval be marked by clear facts. If rewards and punishments are trustworthy in what you have seen, then even in what you have not seen, who would dare to act improperly? If you show approval without evidence for what is commendable, and show disapproval without clear facts for what is unacceptable, and if rewards and punishments are not trustworthy even in what you have seen, then it is impossible to seek good conduct in what lies beyond your sight.”
Someone says: In a broad court and solemn seat, the multitude will naturally appear respectful; but in a private room, alone, even Zeng Shen and Shi Yu would relax. To judge people by their respectful appearance in court is not to observe their true dispositions. Moreover, the ruler’s likes and dislikes are precisely what ministers seek to decorate. If the ruler’s preferences are visible, ministers will inevitably disguise their treachery and use false appearances to deceive him. If his insight cannot illuminate distant treachery or detect hidden signs, yet he relies on watching their decorated conduct to fix rewards and punishments, is this not confused?
Note
This Han Feizi‑Chapter 38.7 critiques Guanzi’s view on rewards‑punishments. It warns ministers fake proper conduct to match the ruler’s revealed preferences; judging merely by visible appearances misleads and blinds the sovereign to hidden treachery.
Guanzi:
Traditionally associated with Guan Zhong, a famous statesman of Qi in the Spring and Autumn period. The Guanzi is a composite text that collects political, economic, and administrative ideas.
A central Legalist concern. Han Fei believes that rewards and punishments must be reliable, but he also warns that rulers can be deceived if they rely only on appearances.
“Someone says”:
A common device in The Han Feizi. It introduces a counterargument or critical comment, often used to test or complicate an earlier view.
Zeng Shen:
Also known as Zengzi, a disciple of Confucius. In early Chinese texts he is often treated as a model of filial piety and moral seriousness.
Shi Yu:
Also known as Shi Qiu, a historian of Jin. He is remembered as an upright official who insisted on recording events faithfully.
Decorated conduct:
Han Fei often warns that ministers will tailor their behavior to the ruler’s tastes. This makes outward respect in court an unreliable sign of loyalty.
Hidden treachery:
The passage shows a typical Legalist anxiety: the ruler cannot trust surface behavior, so he needs methods that reach beyond what is immediately visible.
七
管子曰：“见其可，说之有证；见其不可，恶之有形。赏罚信于所见，虽所不见，其敢为之乎？见其可，说之无证；见其不可，恶之无形。赏罚不信于所见，而求所不见之外，不可得也。”
或曰：广廷严居，众人之所肃也；宴室独处，曾、史之所僈也。观人之所肃，非行情也。且君上者，臣下之所为饰也。好恶在所见，臣下之饰奸物以愚其君，必也。明不能烛远奸，见隐微，而待之以观饰行，定赏罚，不亦弊乎？
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