This excerpt is from “Explanation Three” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Rewards and praise are the ruler’s sharpest weapons. Generous and trustworthy incentives let rulers manipulate human nature, urging subjects to overcome innate fears and turn the weak into fearless warriors.
This excerpt is from Explanation Two in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I, elaborating on “Canon Two: Certain Punishment”. Deterrence lies not in cruelty but in the certainty of penalty. Only when violations bring unavoidable consequences can the law establish its inviolable authority.
This excerpt comes from Explanation One in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. It states rulers must never rely on a single information source. Multi‑party cross‑checks should break ministers’ information monopoly. Otherwise, the ruler will be deceived by confidants and reduced to a manipulated puppet.
This excerpt is from Canon Seven: Reversed Speech in Han Feizi. Han Fei advises rulers to feign appearances and speak ironically to probe suspects. By laying bait deliberately, the ruler lures suspicious figures into traps, forcing their treacherous true intentions to surface.
Classic VI: Asking While Knowing the Answer (Testing with Known Facts) If a ruler asks questions while already possessing the knowledge of the truth, those who are dishonest will be exposed; if a ruler thoroughly understands one specific matter, all hidden treacheries will be transformed. The proof of this lies in Marquis Zhao clutching…
This excerpt comes from “Canon Three: Rewards and Praise” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Han Fei argues rulers shall establish generous, trustworthy reward systems. Only when subjects are certain of returns for their efforts will they willingly brave deadly dangers, rising above instinctive fear and greed.
This excerpt is from “Canon Two: Inevitable Punishment” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Han Fei holds that mercy poisons the rule of law. Unless penalties are certain – lawbreakers are caught and punished – decrees become hollow. Laws must gain inviolable authority through absolute certainty.