SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

rule of law

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.7

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    This Legalist exposition from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.7 presents four stories. It prioritizes impersonal law and positional power over personal affection, advocating merit‑centered rewards and officials’ prudent self‑reliance.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.4

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.4 advocates “governing officials instead of common people”. With vivid metaphors, it urges rulers to grasp core power, warning of catastrophic usurpation if statecraft is neglected.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.2

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.2 holds that order stems from law rather than favoritism. It urges impartial rewards‑punishments based on merit and crime, citing three figures to oppose private benevolence and blind personal loyalty.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.6

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.6 uses historical cases. It states that a weak ruling house discourages frank speech; private interests prevail and public merit fades, harming impartial official governance.

  • 法不阿贵 (Fǎ bù ē guì)

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    This page explains the idiom Fa Bu E Gui from Han Feizi. It means law must not favour nobles or powerful figures, demanding equal enforcement regardless of social rank and status.

  • 法不徇情 (Fǎ bù xùn qíng)

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    This page explains the idiom Fa Bu Xun Qing, originating from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It means law must not bend to private affection, advocating impartial justice free from nepotism and personal favoritism.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.7

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.7 Legalist passage presents several tales. It stresses fair legal judgments and matching rewards strictly to merit, exemplified by Zi Gao’s case and Shao Shizhou’s recommendation.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.1

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.1 uses short historical cases. It advocates impartial rewards‑punishments based on merit, warning mismatched official appointments harm stable ruler‑minister relations.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 32.11

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 32.11 Legalist section presents assorted historical anecdotes. It admits a ruler’s personal example has influence yet insists governance must rely on law, merit‑based rewards rather than moral posturing.