SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

statecraft

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.1

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.1 recounts the Chengpu‑battle story. It rebuts the traditional praise for Duke Wen’s reward practice, arguing rewards should match actual military achievements instead of hollow long‑term moral speeches.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 35.5

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 35.5 states sound statecraft brings effortless success. Through carriage‑related parables, it warns of corruption when tax officials act arbitrarily, causing empty treasuries and public hardship.

  • 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 34.3

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi‑Chapter 34.3 uses metaphors of fierce dogs and altar rats. It argues rulers must endure painful measures, enforce laws above personal feelings and test officials with objective standards.

  • The Methods of Shen and Han

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    The “Methods of Shen and Han” refers to the statecraft advocated by Shen Buhai and Han Fei, two leading figures of the Legalist school during the Warring States period. Han Fei synthesized Shang Yang’s emphasis on fa (law), Shen Buhai’s focus on shu (statecraft or administrative method), and Shen Dao’s doctrine of shi (power…

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.5

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    This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.5 warns against ministers’ extreme virtues and ruler’s unrestrained favors. It condemns factional cliques, urging rulers to manage officials via statecraft instead of personal moral judgment.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.8

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.8 Legalist excerpt presents four historical tales. It advocates checks‑and‑balances and statecraft, warning rulers against blind personal trust in ministers, even the seemingly loyal ones.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 33.2

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    This Legalist passage from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 33.2 argues rulers should rely on authority and statecraft rather than personal trust. Proper rewards and punishments can make even morally‑questionable ministers serve state interests.