This article re‑examines Han‑Feizi’s “old horse knows the way” tale. Beyond valuing experience, it highlights strategic humility: even wise figures should admit ignorance and seek external clues instead of feigning certainty.
This article draws on Han Feizi’s Xian Xue to critique manipulative workplace moral rhetoric such as big‑picture thinking, selflessness and gratitude. It advocates cross-checking and verification, judging claims by tangible substance rather than noble‑sounding language.
This article draws on Han Feizi’s fables, including the rooster‑cat metaphor and Duke Zhao of Han’s story. It advocates strict functional boundaries: avoid encroaching on others’ roles to prevent blurred accountability in daily life scenarios.
This article unpacks Han Feizi’s Legalist principles of “shu”, “examine reality against its name” and cross-checking. It advocates verifying claims via real world conduct rather than mere words for everyday personal and professional interactions.
The Master said, “I once spent a whole day without eating and a whole night without sleeping, devoting myself entirely to thinking – but gained nothing. It is better to study than to ponder in vain.”
The Master said, “If a person can recite all three hundred poems of the Classic of Poetry, yet when entrusted with government affairs cannot manage them effectively, and when sent as an envoy to foreign states cannot respond independently—what use is all that learning, no matter how extensive?”
Zilu asked how to serve ghosts and spirits. The Master said, “If you have not yet learned how to serve people, how can you serve ghosts and spirits?” Zilu ventured to ask further, “May I ask about death?” The Master replied, “If you do not yet understand life, how can you understand death?”