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祸起萧墙 (huò qǐ xiāo qiáng)
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 祸起萧墙Pinyin: huò qǐ xiāo qiángLiteral Meaning: Disaster arises from the xiao‑qiang screen‑wall. Figurative definition Calamity, conflict or rebellion originates from inside a group, organization or nation, rather than from outside enemies. Cultural & historical background This idiom comes from a famous passage in the Analects (in the chapter Jishi). The…
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Han Feizi – Chapter 27.7
This excerpt is from Han Feizi · Employing People, a pivotal chapter on the objectivity and de‑emotionalization of the rule of law. With the apt metaphor of archery and references to Yao, Hou Yi and Bi Gan, Han Fei presents a core political‑philosophical view: genuine rule of law must free itself from a ruler’s…
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Han Feizi – Chapter 27.6
This excerpt comes from Han Feizi · Employing People, a key chapter arguing rulers should not seek far‑fetched solutions while neglecting what lies close at hand. Using hypothetical tales of King Yan and a man of Lu, Han Fei states a core political‑philosophical view: spurning native subjects to court foreigners wins no genuine loyalty,…
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Han Feizi – Chapter 27.5
This excerpt is from Han Feizi · Employing People, a key chapter on the devastating damage emotional governance inflicts on ruler‑minister ties. Han Fei dissects how personal grievances fester into hidden resentment. He advances a core political‑philosophical view: rulers must not overburden subordinates nor base rewards and penalties on whims. Once values collapse, even…
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Han Feizi – Chapter 27.4
This excerpt comes from Han Feizi · Employing People, a key chapter on how rulers avoid ministers’ resentment and foster sound sovereign‑minister relations. Drawing on Emperor Yao’s worries and Jie Zitui’s self‑sacrifice, Han Fei puts forth a core political‑philosophical idea: rulers should not morally coerce ministers, but motivate them via clear benefits and institutions.…