SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Deterrence

  • Why “Being a Good Person” Is Not Enough

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    This article explains Han Feizi’s “Two Handles” thesis: mere personal goodness and moral appeals cannot sustain authority. Reliable governance requires institutional reward‑punishment mechanisms, applicable to management, parenting and personal relationships.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 48.7

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 48.7 warns unchecked official power breeds chaos. It demands merit‑based appointments, aligning praise‑reward and blame‑punishment, ensuring rank‑salary are sole legitimate benefits and eliminating mixed public‑private signals.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 39.2

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 39.2 presents two successive rebuttals over imprisoning fugitive rebel Yang Hu. It debates whether punishing known rebels deters hidden treachery, examining ministerial loyalty, human greed and royal deterrent statecraft.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 37.2

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 37.2 criticizes Guan Zhong’s advice for Duke Huan’s lost‑cap disgrace. It argues arbitrary charity and undeserved amnesty reward the meritless and pardon faults, breeding opportunism and political disorder.

  • Mozi – Chapter 50

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    This chapter recounts Mozi’s famous mission to stop Chu from attacking Song. He travels ten days to defeat master craftsman Gongshu Ban’s siege engines in a simulated battle, then reveals 300 disciples already guard Song, forcing Chu to abandon the war.