This Legalist excerpt from Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 34.1 argues rulers should rely on power instead of moral persuasion. Threats should be eliminated early, and ministers controlled, as illustrated by multiple historical metaphors.
This chapter fiercely refutes Confucianism. It criticizes hierarchical mourning, fatalism, empty rituals and Confucian hypocrisy, and accuses Confucius of political scheming and inconsistent conduct, dismissing his doctrines as harmful to state welfare.
Gongsun Chou asked Mencius, “If you should hold the power of government in Qi, could you achieve great deeds like Guan Zhong and Yanzi?”