Han Feizi describes the dangers of persuasion. Any speaking style gets misjudged; honest advice risks blame, reflecting the perils of autocratic court politics.
Li Si refutes Han Fei, arguing Han is a hidden threat to Qin. Its submission is fake; attack it first, or it may ally with rivals and endanger Qin.
Mencius said to King Xuan of Qi: “If a ruler treats his ministers as his own hands and feet, they will treat him as their heart and mind.If he treats them like dogs or horses, they will regard him as a mere stranger.If he treats them like dust or weeds – worthless and disposable…
Zichan (Zi Chan), while governing the state of Zheng, once used his own carriage to ferry people across the Zhen and Wei rivers.
Mencius said: “The Dao is right before you, yet you seek it far away;the task is simple, yet you make it difficult.If everyone simply loves their own parents and respects their elders,the whole world will be at peace.”
Mencius said: “The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties gained the empire through benevolence, and they lost it when benevolence was abandoned.The rise, fall, survival, or collapse of any state follows the same principle.”