This excerpt is from Canon One: Observing and Verifying in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Han Fei advances a core political‑philosophical view: relying solely on one source of information makes a ruler vulnerable to deception. Only cross‑checking multiple perspectives can break information barriers and reveal the truth.
Ji Kangzi asked, “Which of your disciples is most eager to learn?” Confucius replied, “There was Yan Hui, who was truly eager to learn – but unfortunately, he died young! Now there is no one like him.”
Duke Ai asked about governance.The Master said:“The policies of Kings Wen and Wu are recorded in books and documents.Yet, when the right people are present, their policies flourish;when those people are gone, their policies cease.”
6.3 Duke Ai asked which of the disciples had a love of learning.