Han Feizi – Chapter 35.4

Section 4

The ruler is one who upholds the law and demands results from his ministers in order to achieve success. One has heard of cases where, although the officials were in disorder, there were still individuals among the people who remained upright; but one has never heard of a situation where the people were in chaos yet the officials alone governed well. Therefore, an enlightened ruler governs the officials, not the people directly. This is illustrated by the image of shaking a tree by its root and drawing up a fishing net by its headrope.

The case of the fire must also be examined. If, when a fire breaks out, an official runs to fight it carrying a water jar, he contributes only the effort of one man. But if he wields a whip to direct others, he can command tens of thousands. Thus, when the ruler employs statecraft, it is like Zaofu encountering startled horses: if he tries to pull and push the carriage himself, it will not advance; but if he takes the reins and the whip in place of the driver, the horses will gallop forward.

Hence the method is like using a hammer and anvil to flatten metal, or a frame to straighten warped wood. If the ruler fails to do this, disaster will follow, as when Zhuo Chi seized power in Qi and killed King Min, or when Li Dui seized power in Zhao and starved Lord Zhufu to death.

Note

This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.4 advocates “governing officials instead of common people”. With vivid metaphors, it urges rulers to grasp core power, warning of catastrophic usurpation if statecraft is neglected.

Han Feizi / Legalism:

Han Fei was a major Legalist thinker of the Warring States period. He believed that a ruler should not try to manage every person directly, but should control officials through law, accountability, and administrative technique.

“Governing officials, not the people”:

A central Legalist idea. If officials are properly supervised, the people will be orderly; if officials are corrupt or uncontrolled, governing the people directly is impossible.

Shaking the tree by its root:

A metaphor for dealing with the fundamental cause rather than the branches.

Drawing the net by its headrope:

A metaphor for grasping the key point. The “headrope” is the main rope that opens the whole net.

Zaofu:

A legendary master charioteer. Here he illustrates that a ruler must hold the reins of power rather than do the work of subordinates.

Hammer and anvil; frame for straightening wood:

Images of correction and standardization. The ruler uses institutions and methods to make officials behave properly.

Zhuo Chi:

A general of Yan who entered Qi during a crisis, took control, and eventually killed King Min of Qi. His story warns of ministers who seize military and political power.

Li Dui:

A powerful minister of Zhao. During a succession struggle, he besieged Lord Zhufu, also known as King Wuling of Zhao, causing him to die of starvation. This is used as an example of ministerial usurpation.

Lord Zhufu / King Wuling of Zhao:

King Wuling of Zhao was a Zhao ruler who once strengthened his state through military reform, but later lost power and died under the control of his ministers.

经四

　　人主者，守法责成以立功者也。闻有吏虽乱而有独善之民，不闻有乱民而有独治之吏，故明主治吏不治民。说在摇木之本与引网之纲。故失火之啬夫，不可不论也。救火者，吏操壶走火，则一人之用也；操鞭使人，则役万夫。故所遇术者，如造父之遇惊马，牵马推车则不能进，代御执辔持策则马咸骛矣。是以说在椎锻平夷，榜檠矫直。不然，败在淖齿用齐戮闵王，李兑用赵饿主父也。