This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 49 (Five Vermin) argues governance must adapt to changing eras. It denounces five harmful social groups sapping state strength, advocating strict law‑reward‑punishment and prioritizing farming‑warfare over empty moral rhetoric.
This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 38.4 rejects Confucius’ varied governance advice for three rulers. It argues “knowing subordinates” via objective assessment and strict reward‑punishment, not subjective virtues, is the core of sound rulership.
This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.9 Legalist excerpt collects diverse short tales. It stresses strict ritual‑political hierarchy between superiors and subordinates, warning against reversed noble‑base order which may bring political ruin.
This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.8 Legalist excerpt presents four historical tales. It advocates checks‑and‑balances and statecraft, warning rulers against blind personal trust in ministers, even the seemingly loyal ones.
This Zhuangzi ‑ Dechongfu excerpt presents fables of deformed figures. It prioritizes inner complete virtue over physical form or social status, and ends with Zhuangzi’s debate with Huizi over “having no human emotions”.
This is Explanation Six from Han Feizi: Inner Congested Sayings, Part II. Han Fei reveals a political law: a foe’s deadliest attack is not military invasion, but espionage and stratagems to manipulate a ruler’s official appointments. Enemies seek to muddle the ruler’s judgment and steer his decisions astray.
This excerpt is from “Canon Six: Dismissal and Appointment” in Han Feizi. It shifts focus from domestic governance to international relations, exposing a cross‑border power tactic: hostile states undermine a realm by meddling in its official appointments instead of waging war.