Han Feizi – Chapter 34.1

Canon I

If one’s power is insufficient to transform someone, remove him. Shi Kuang’s reply and Yanzi’s persuasion both accord with the idea that power easily changes people, yet they ignore how difficult it is to guide conduct through moral influence. This is like racing against wild beasts; it does not truly eliminate trouble.

Trouble can indeed be eliminated, as shown by Zi Xia’s commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals: “One who is good at maintaining power cuts off treacherous sprouts at an early stage.” Thus, even Ji Sun treated Confucius by relying on his power; how much more, then, should a ruler make use of power? Therefore, Taigong Wang killed Kuang Ju, for a servant does not harness a thoroughbred horse. Duke Si of Wei understood this, so he did not yoke deer to his carriage. Lord Xue understood this, so he played a board game with the twin brothers. All these men knew the difference between what is alike and what is opposed. Hence, the way an enlightened ruler controls his ministers is explained by the taming of birds.

Note

This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 34.1 argues rulers should rely on power instead of moral persuasion. Threats should be eliminated early, and ministers controlled, as illustrated by multiple historical metaphors.

Han Feizi / Han Fei (c. 280–233 BCE):

A Legalist philosopher who argues that rulers must rely on power, law, method, and careful control of ministers rather than moral persuasion alone.

Shi Kuang:

Shi Kuang was a famous blind musician of Jin. In Han Feizi, his words are sometimes cited to show that moral advice alone may not solve political danger.

Yanzi / Yan Ying:

A celebrated minister of Qi, known for remonstrance and wit. Han Fei here suggests that moral persuasion is often too weak against entrenched power.

Zi Xia and the Spring and Autumn Annals:

Zi Xia was a disciple of Confucius. Han Fei cites his interpretation to support the Legalist idea that a ruler should stop threats before they grow.

Ji Sun and Confucius:

Ji Sun was a powerful noble family in Lu. The passage suggests that even a noble like Confucius could be constrained by the power held by others.

Taigong Wang / Jiang Ziya:

A foundational figure in early Zhou history. Here he kills Kuang Ju to show that a person who cannot be controlled by authority must be removed.

“A servant does not harness a thoroughbred”:

A metaphor meaning that ordinary or unreliable people should not be given positions beyond their capacity or loyalty.

Duke Si of Wei:

A ruler of Wei. He does not yoke deer because deer are wild and unsuitable for orderly control.

Lord Xue and the twin brothers:

An anecdote used to show that a ruler should understand differences among people and manage them accordingly.

Taming birds:

A Legalist metaphor. A ruler controls ministers as one trains a bird: by holding its food, power, and dependence, not by trusting its goodwill.

经一

　　势不足以化则除之。师旷之对，晏子之说，皆合势之易也，而道行之难，是与兽逐走也，未知除患。患之可除，在子夏之说《春秋》也：“善持势者，蚤绝其奸萌。”故季孙让仲尼以遇势，而况错之于君乎。是以太公望杀狂矞，而臧获不乘骥。嗣公知之，故不驾鹿。薛公知之，故与二孪博。此皆知同异之反也。故明主之牧臣也，说在畜鸟。