sycophant

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 23.7

    Han Feizi contrasts two official types: sycophants Chong Hou and E Lai pleased King Zhou but ignored Shang’s fall; loyal Bi Gan and Wu Zixu foresaw ruin yet died unjustly. Full wisdom needs both human insight and foresight of state trends.

  • A new lake for an old

    Wang Anshi, prime minister of the Song Dynasty, was fond of public utility projects.