This excerpt comes from Han Feizi · Achievements, a pivotal chapter on the decisive role of political authority in governance. Through metaphors like short trees on high mountains, ships carrying immense weight and the contrast between Yao and Jie, Han Fei argues personal talent and virtue are secondary to positional power. Rulers must consolidate…
by Han Fei There was a man in the state of Song who sold wine. He measured his wine very fairly, treated customers politely, made excellent wine, and hung his shop sign high. Yet his wine remained unsold and turned sour.
The Master said, “A thoroughbred horse is praised not for its strength, but for its virtue.”
Zilu asked Confucius, “What kind of person can be called a ‘complete person’ (a morally and intellectually fulfilled individual)?”The Master said, “If someone possesses the wisdom of Zang Wuzhong, the lack of desire of Gongchuo, the courage of Bian Zhuangzi, and the talents of Ran Qiu – and is further refined by ritual and…
Playing Go is a minor art; yet even so, you must give your whole attention to it to learn it.