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To occupy an unrighteous position, suffer slander from multitudes, be drowned in popular gossip, yet seek safety before a stern ruler – is this not extremely difficult? This is why wise statesmen remain obscure until death.
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Moreover, the foolish scholars of the age do not understand the realities of order and chaos. They chatter endlessly, reciting ancient books at length to disrupt present‑day governance. Their wisdom cannot even avoid pitfalls and dry wells, yet they recklessly criticize statecraft‑wise men. Listening to their words endangers the state; adopting their plans brings…
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Ministers who possess statecraft can present theories of laws and measures, clarify royal decrees above, restrain treacherous ministers below, and thereby honor the ruler and stabilize the state. Thus once legal theories are adopted, rewards and punishments will surely be enforced afterward.
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All treacherous ministers seek to comply with the ruler’s will to gain the power of close favor. Therefore, whatever the ruler approves, ministers praise; whatever the ruler detests, ministers condemn. Generally among human nature, those with identical choices affirm one another, while those with differing choices oppose one another. What ministers praise is what…