Uprightness means inner and outer conduct correspond, and words match deeds. Integrity means accepting fate of life and death and regarding wealth lightly. Straightness means impartial justice with an un‑biased public mind, free from factional favoritism. Radiance means noble official rank and magnificent attire.
Now men who possess the Dao, though sincere and consistent inwardly and outwardly, do not condemn the fallen through criticism. Though steadfast in duty and indifferent to wealth, they do not humiliate the greedy. Though righteous and impartial, they do not punish private vice out of purism. Though high‑ranked and finely dressed, they do not boast over the lowly or bully the poor.
Why? If the lost would consult the wise, they would not stray. Ordinary people crave success yet meet failure because they ignore natural principles and refuse to learn from the knowledgeable and capable. When sages force warnings of misfortune upon them, resentment arises. The masses are many, sages few; few cannot overcome many – this is natural order. To oppose the whole world through one’s conduct is no way to preserve oneself and live long. Therefore sages act by observing proper norms and restraints.
Hence the saying: “Upright without cutting, sharp without wounding, straight without reckless indulgence, radiant without ostentation.”
Note
This passage delivers a key pragmatic‑ethical principle: virtuous people must uphold integrity yet avoid harshness and confrontation. Since the majority resists wisdom, the sage practices self‑restraint rather than forced reform.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is excerpted from Explaining Laozi (Jie Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He interprets Daoist self‑restraint as practical political survival wisdom for upright statesmen.
Four Virtues of the Daoist Sage
Fang (uprightness), lian (integrity), zhi (straightness), guang (radiance) are core qualities; the sage practices them yet avoids harsh judgment, arrogance or confrontation with the masses.
Sage‑Mass Power Logic
A pragmatic Legalist observation: the few wise cannot reform the many ignorant; forced correction breeds hatred, so self‑restraint is safer than open confrontation.
Upright without Cutting
Classic Dao De Jing maxim re‑interpreted by Han Fei as behavioral self‑control rather than abstract moral ideal, emphasizing tolerance and self‑preservation in politics.
所謂方者，內外相應也，言行相稱也。所謂廉者，必生死之命也，輕恬資財也。所謂直者，義必公正，公心不偏黨也。所謂光者，官爵尊貴，衣裘壯麗也。今有道之士，雖中外信順，不以誹謗窮墮；雖死節輕財，不以侮罷羞貪；雖義端不黨，不以去邪罪私；雖勢尊衣美，不以夸賤欺貧。其故何也？使失路者而肯聽習問知，即不成迷也。今眾人之所以欲成功而反為敗者，生於不知道理而不肯問知而聽能。眾人不肯問知聽能，而聖人強以其禍敗適之，則怨。眾人多而聖人寡，寡之不勝眾，數也。今舉動而與天下之為讎，非全身長生之道也，是以行軌節而舉之也。故曰：「方而不割，廉而不劌，直而不肆，光而不耀。」
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