Han Feizi – Chapter 35.3

Section 3

An enlightened ruler takes warning from external things, so that affairs abroad cannot fail to succeed. That is why Su Dai criticized the king of Qi. A ruler should also take warning from those above him. If the ruler is not discerning, those who remain at his side will not appear dangerous; that is why Pan Shou spoke of the feelings of Yu. If the ruler has no awakening, Fang Wu understood this and said that one should fear even those who share the same robe and clan, let alone those to whom power is lent. Wu Zhang understood this, so he remonstrated by pretending; how much more dangerous is it to lend one’s true heart? The king of Zhao hated the tiger’s eyes and so became blocked. The way of an enlightened ruler is like the Zhou envoy who turned back the marquis of Wei: he keeps proper rank and does not allow ministers to overstep their place.

Note

This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.3 advises rulers to draw lessons from external and historical cases. It warns against power‑lending even to close kin and stresses upholding strict ranks to avoid political obstruction.

Han Feizi / Legalism:

Han Fei was a major Legalist thinker of the Warring States period. He warned rulers that authority must remain centralized and that ministers may gradually gain influence if the ruler is careless.

Su Dai:

A political strategist and persuader of the Warring States period. He is cited here for criticizing the king of Qi, warning him against letting others use the ruler’s prestige.

King of Qi:

A ruler of the state of Qi. In this passage he serves as an example of a ruler who must guard his authority.

Pan Shou:

A figure mentioned in Han Feizi who advises the ruler by referring to “the feelings of Yu.”

Yu:

Usually refers to Yu the Great, a legendary sage-king admired for self-restraint and dedication to public duty. Here his “feelings” are used as a moral or political lesson.

Fang Wu:

A figure who warns that a ruler should fear even those closest to him, because intimacy can become a channel for borrowing power.

“Share the same robe and clan”:

A metaphor for people who are very close to the ruler, such as relatives, favorites, or inner attendants.

Wu Zhang:

A figure who understands the danger of being too open and so chooses indirect or pretended speech when remonstrating.

King of Zhao and the tiger’s eyes:

The king of Zhao disliked the tiger’s gaze and so became blocked or deceived. It illustrates how a ruler’s personal likes and dislikes can make him vulnerable to manipulation.

Zhou envoy and the marquis of Wei:

A story in which an envoy of the Zhou court prevents the marquis of Wei from overstepping ritual rank. It shows that an enlightened ruler maintains clear hierarchy.

经三

　　明主者，鉴于外也，而外事不得不成，故苏代非齐王。人主鉴于上也，而居者不适不显，故潘寿言禹情。人主无所觉悟，方吾知之，故恐同衣同族，而况借于权乎！吴章知之，故说以佯，而况借于诚乎！赵王恶虎目而壅。明主之道，如周行人之却卫侯也。