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.
Han Feizi tells Shao Jimei linked losing his coat to overdrinking. Habitual indulgence ruins both individuals and rulers.
Han Fei tells King Tang yielded the throne to Wu Guang to hide greed, yet tricked him into suicide. Virtuous acts can be political stratagems.
Han Feizi tells King Ling’s story: arrogant, rude to lords, ignored advice, and starved to death.
In ancient times, the human population was small while birds and beasts were numerous. People could not withstand the harm inflicted by wild animals, insects, and snakes.