This article argues Taoism and Legalism are not opposites. Han Fei drew Taoist wu‑wei and cosmic insights, re‑interpreting them for practical statecraft: Taoism aligns with cosmic nature, while Legalism aligns with human nature for institutional governance.
This Zhuangzi‑Yangshengzhu excerpt features Chef Ding’s ox‑butchering parable. It advocates following nature’s middle path, accepting fate and death, to preserve one’s body and live out one’s natural lifespan.
Confucius said, “When seeing goodness, one should feel as if unable to catch up with it; when seeing what is not good, one should recoil as if touching boiling water. I have seen such people and heard their words. As for those who retreat into seclusion to preserve their aspirations and act righteously to…
The Master said, “When paths differ, one does not conspire together.”
The Master said, “The noble person seeks the Way, not sustenance. In farming, hunger may still occur; in studying, official emolument often follows. Thus, the noble person worries about the Way, not about poverty.”
The Master said, “It is humanity that enlarges the Way, not the Way that enlarges humanity.”
The Master said, “The determined scholar and the humane person will never seek to preserve their life at the expense of benevolence (humaneness); they would rather sacrifice their life to fulfill humaneness.”
The Master said with a sigh, “You, Zhong You! Truly, those who understand virtue are few indeed!”