military strength

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 54

    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 54 (Mind‑Measure) holds punishment serves public welfare. It stresses laws must adapt to eras, prioritize agriculture‑military power, block private cliques, and rely on state institutions rather than external conditions to achieve kingship.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 53

    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 53 (Rectifying Decrees) advocates stable laws, swift judgments and merit‑based official grants. It argues for heavy penalty to eliminate crime and a single state‑controlled profit channel to strengthen state power and curb empty rhetoric.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 1.6

    Han Fei cites history: brute force fails without wisdom. Qin has unmatched strength; he risks death to offer strategies to break alliances and unify China.

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.7

    Zigong asked about governance. The Master said, “Ensure sufficient food, sufficient military strength, and the people’s trust.”Zigong asked, “If, under unavoidable circumstances, one of these three must be abandoned, which should go first?”The Master replied, “Abandon the military.”Zigong asked again, “If, under further unavoidable circumstances, another must be abandoned between the remaining two, which…