This chapter holds Heaven’s will the absolute moral gauge. It criticizes people’s moral double standard: punishing petty crimes yet glorifying interstate wars, and stresses universal love as the only righteous path conforming to Heaven.
Han Feizi tells Lord Zhi tricked Qiu You’s king with a giant bell gift, forcing road construction for its delivery. A minister fled after warning of invasion; seven months later, Qiu You was conquered for coveting tempting but treacherous favors.
Han Feizi tells Lord Zhi’s story: greedy and stubborn, he ignored warnings, lost allies, and perished.