Authority is the deep pool for a ruler. If a ruler’s power falls among ministers, it can never be regained once lost. Duke Jian of Qi lost his power to Tian Chengzi; the Jin ruler lost his power to the Six Nobles, leading to state ruin and personal death. Hence the saying: “Fish cannot leave the deep pool.”
Rewards and punishments are the sharp weapons of a state. Held by the ruler, they control ministers; held by ministers, they overcome the ruler. When the ruler grants rewards, ministers usurp kindness to win popularity; when the ruler inflicts punishments, ministers exaggerate severity to build prestige. Ministers seize power from royal rewards and exploit might from royal punishments. Hence the saying: “The sharp weapons of a state must not be shown to others.”
Note
This passage states a fundamental Legalist rule: supreme authority and the power of reward‑punishment must be strictly kept by the ruler; any leakage leads to ministerial usurpation and national collapse.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Illustrating Laozi (Yu Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He turns Daoist metaphors into strict Legalist theories of monarchical power.
Duke Jian of Qi
Ruler of Qi, killed by Tian Chengzi, whose clan later seized Qi state power.
Six Nobles of Jin
Six powerful aristocratic clans that divided Jin, eventually forming Han, Wei and Zhao.
Fish‑Pool Metaphor
Power is like deep water for fish; rulers cannot separate themselves from supreme authority.
Sharp Weapons of State
Rewards and punishments are exclusive royal tools; revealing them lets ministers usurp power.
Legalist Core Doctrine
Rulers must monopolize power, rewards and punishments to prevent ministerial usurpation.
勢重者，人君之淵也。君人者勢重於人臣之閒，失則不可復得也。簡公失之於田成，晉公失之於六卿，而邦亡身死。故曰：「魚不可脫於深淵。」賞罰者，邦之利器也，在君則制臣，在臣則勝君。君見賞，臣則損之以為德；君見罰，臣則益之以為威。人君見賞而人臣用其勢，人君見罰而人臣乘其威。故曰：「邦之利器不可以示人。」
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