This article unpacks Mencius’ famous exchange with King Hui of Liang. It explains Mencius opposes putting profit first rather than rejecting it, arguing benevolence‑righteousness yields lasting benefit, with modern real‑world illustrations.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Xu Wugui chapter contains varied parables, including the horse‑herding boy’s governance advice and Huizi‑craftsman‑shi anecdote. It critiques forced benevolence, arrogance and rigid doctrinal disputation.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Quqie explains its radical critique: safeguards and sage‑made moral systems get hijacked by powerful usurpers. It advocates returning to ancient plain‑simplicity instead of over‑reliance on man‑made institutions.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Mati excerpt uses Bo Le’s horse‑taming fable. It blames sages’ imposed rituals and virtues for ruining innate nature, and praises the ancient Age of Perfect Virtue of plain, unconstrained simplicity.
This excerpt comes from Han Feizi · Employing People, a key chapter on how rulers avoid ministers’ resentment and foster sound sovereign‑minister relations. Drawing on Emperor Yao’s worries and Jie Zitui’s self‑sacrifice, Han Fei puts forth a core political‑philosophical idea: rulers should not morally coerce ministers, but motivate them via clear benefits and institutions.…