Han Feizi

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Overview

The Han Feizi is an ancient Chinese text attributed to the Legalist political philosopher Han Fei. It comprises a selection of essays in the Legalist tradition, elucidating theories of state power, and synthesizing the methodologies of his predecessors. Its 55 chapters, most of which date to the Warring States period mid-3rd century BCE, are the only such text to survive fully intact. The Han Feizi is believed to contain the first commentaries on the Dao De Jing. Traditionally associated with the Qin dynasty, succeeding emperors and reformers were still influenced by Shen Buhai and the Han Feizi, with Shang Yang's current again coming to prominence in the time of Emperor Wu.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Notable quotes

“The Law(道, Way) is Huge and Shapeless, its Moral extends everywhere.”
— 夫道者、弘大而無形，德者、覈理而普至。至於群生，斟酌用之，萬物皆盛，而不與其寧。
“In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special pleas...”
— from "The Eight Villanies", Han Fei Tzu: Basic Writings, Columbia University Press, New York, 1996. Translated by Burton Watson.
“A truly enlightened ruler uses the law to select men for him; he does not choose them himself. He uses the law to weigh their merits; he does not attempt to judge them for himself.”
— "On Having Standards", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)
“From your place of darkness observe the defects of others. See but do not appear to see; listen but do not seem to listen; know but do not let it be known that you know. When you perceive the trend of a man's words, do not change them, do not correct them, but examine them and compare them with the results.”
— "The Way of the Ruler", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)
“Be immeasurably great, be unfathomably deep; make certain that names and results tally, examine laws and customs, punish those who act willfully, and the state will be without traitors.”
— "The Way of the Ruler", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)
“To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.”
— from "Having Regulations—A Memorandum" in The Complete Works of Han Fei Tzu, Volume I, Arthur Probsthain, London. Translated by W.K. Liao.

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

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