Han Feizi warns rulers: revealing likes/dislikes lets ministers manipulate you. Hide emotions, stay neutral to avoid deception and usurpation.
Shen Tong (minister of Qi) asked Mencius privately: “Can the state of Yan be attacked?”
When the state of Qi invaded and defeated Yan, King Xuan asked Mencius: “Some advise me not to annex Yan; others urge me to take it. We, a great state of ten thousand chariots, conquered another great state in just fifty days – surely this is Heaven’s will! If I refuse to take it,…