SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

fierce dog

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 34.6

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 34.6 Legalist passage uses “fierce‑dog” and “altar‑rat” metaphors. It illustrates that credible laws must apply even to nobles and favorites, to block corrupt insiders and consolidate royal authority.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 34.3

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 34.3 uses metaphors of fierce dogs and altar rats. It argues rulers must endure painful measures, enforce laws above personal feelings and test officials with objective standards.

  • The Wine Merchant of Song [Han Feizi]

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    by Han Fei There was a man in the state of Song who sold wine. He measured his wine very fairly, treated customers politely, made excellent wine, and hung his shop sign high. Yet his wine remained unsold and turned sour.

  • The dog who soured wine

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    There was a brewer in the state of Song whose wine was excellent.