Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
This article unpacks Han‑Feizi’s famous carriage make and coffin maker parable. It compares his interest‑centered insight with Adam Smith, warning people’s motives are shaped by self‑interest rather than inherent goodness or malice.
The Master said, “When a leader’s conduct is upright, people will follow even without orders; when his conduct is not upright, they will not obey even if he issues commands.”
“Mencius Addressing Dai Busheng” is a dialogue between Mencius and Dai Busheng, a minister of the state of Song during the Warring States period.
Someone, when talking to Confucius, said, “How is it that you are not in the public service?”