Han Feizi

  • The Legend of Shi Yan and the Birth of Decadent Music

    This legend records musician Shi Yan forced by tyrant King Zhou of Shang to create decadent licentious tunes. Blamed for the dynasty’s fall, he drowned himself by Pu River. Centuries later, ghostly melodies of his music were heard there, recorded in ancient historical texts.

  • Mǐ Mǐ Zhī Yīn (靡靡之音)

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 靡靡之音Pinyin: mǐ mǐ zhī yīnLiteral Meaning: Weak and dispiriting tunesFigurative Meaning: Soft, decadent and demoralizing music that indulges sensual pleasures and weakens people’s will. Cultural Background This idiom first appeared in the Warring States period, in the chapter ‘Ten Faults’ of Han Fei’s work Hanfeizi as to be specified below.…

  • Zhì Zǐ Yí Lín (智子疑邻)

    Basic Info Chinese Idio: 智子疑邻Pinyin: zhì zǐ yí línLiteral Meaning: Think one’s own son is clever yet suspect the innocent neighbor.Figurative Meaning: Judge things with personal bias instead of objective facts; favor family while unfairly suspecting outsiders facing identical clues.

  • Yuǎn Shuǐ Bù Jiù Jìn Huǒ (远水不救近火)

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 远水不救近火 or 远水救不了近火Pinyin: yuǎn shuǐ bù jiù jìn huǒLiteral Meaning: Water from afar cannot put out a nearby fire.Figurative Meaning: Slow or distant help is useless for an urgent crisis at hand. Cultural Background This ancient idiom uses a plain yet vivid daily metaphor. It reminds people to solve immediate…

  • Yī Míng Jīng Rén (一鸣惊人)

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 一鸣惊人 Pinyin: yī míng jīng rén Literal Meaning: Its single cry stuns everyone. Figurative Meaning: Someone who stays obscure for a long time suddenly achieves remarkable success and amazes others. Cultural Background This is a classic inspirational Chinese idiom with two recorded ancient sources. It tells the story of a…

  • Wēi Rú Lěi Luǎn (危如累卵)

    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 危如累卵Pinyin: wēi rú lěi luǎnLiteral Meaning: As dangerous as eggs piled one on top of another.Figurative Meaning: A situation is extremely precarious and likely to collapse or fail at any moment. Extended Background & Usage Notes This ancient Chinese idiom uses a vivid visual metaphor. Stacking eggs is extremely unstable…

  • Lǎo Mǎ Shí Tú (老马识途)

    Basic Information Chinese idiom: 老马识途Pinyin: lǎo mǎ shí túLiteral Meaning: An old horse knows the way it has traveled before.Figurative Meaning: Experienced people, just like old horses, can judge directions correctly and handle things skillfully thanks to rich life experience. It praises seniors or veterans for their wisdom gained from long‑term practice. Extended Background…

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 2.2

    Han Fei advises Qin: use diplomacy to win Chu/Wei, ally with Han, strike Zhao. War is risky; reckless moves isolate Qin and court disaster.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 2.1

    Han Fei warns Qin: attacking loyal, weak Han is a mistake. Ignore Zhao’s threat, drain strength, empower rivals, and risk unification failure.