This Legalist section from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter32.8 presents multiple tales including the thorn‑tip monkey fraud. It argues rulers must test theories against real‑world outcomes, rejecting persuasive yet impractical empty rhetoric.
Han Fei warns Qin: attacking loyal, weak Han is a mistake. Ignore Zhao’s threat, drain strength, empower rivals, and risk unification failure.
Han Fei blames Qin’s ministers for three blunders: sparing collapsing Zhao, failing to take Handan, wasting strength. Now Qin is weak, rivals unite.