This excerpt comes from Han Feizi · Achievements, a pivotal chapter on the decisive role of political authority in governance. Through metaphors like short trees on high mountains, ships carrying immense weight and the contrast between Yao and Jie, Han Fei argues personal talent and virtue are secondary to positional power. Rulers must consolidate…
This excerpt is from Han Feizi · Employing People, a key chapter on the devastating damage emotional governance inflicts on ruler‑minister ties. Han Fei dissects how personal grievances fester into hidden resentment. He advances a core political‑philosophical view: rulers must not overburden subordinates nor base rewards and penalties on whims. Once values collapse, even…
This Han Feizi chapter stresses reliable legal institutions rather than rare virtuous individuals. Using metaphors like the tiger‑cage, it argues sound laws enable mediocre rulers to restrain villains and secure lasting political stability.
Li Hong’s moral conduct harmonized his neighborhood. Summoned as magistrate, he delayed departure for a month then fled to avoid office. Scholar Yang Xiong admired his balanced stance, neither extreme reclusiveness like Boyi nor over-accommodation like Liuxia Hui.
Mencius regards Boyi and Liuxia Hui as timeless sage-teachers. Boyi’s integrity purifies greedy, cowardly souls; Liuxia Hui’s tolerance softens petty, narrow minds. Their moral spirit inspires people hundreds of generations later.
Confucius assesses three types of ancient recluses with distinct moral stances. Unlike them, he holds no rigid fixed choices – he acts flexibly according to righteousness, embodying the supreme Confucian wisdom of timely adaptation and the Doctrine of the Mean.
Han Feizi warns rulers not to let unworthy attendants judge officials. It corrupts governance and blocks upright talent.