The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong. Han Fei More Quotes by Han Fei More Quotes From Han Fei It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others. Han Fei rulerstrust-othersdangerous It is not difficult to know a thing; what is difficult is to know how to use what you know Han Fei difficultknow-howuse People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness. Han Fei submissivedoctrinepeople No benefit is more constant than simplicity; no happiness more constant than peace. Han Fei benefitssimplicityhappiness Claiming certainty without corroborating evidence is stupid. Han Fei certaintyhumilitystupid In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special pleas. Han Fei bedspecialmay He who claims to be sure of something for which there is no evidence is a fool, and he who acts on the basis of what cannot be proved is an imposter. Han Fei foolclaimsphilosophy By looking at a person's features, clothing, and speech, even Confucius would not be able to say what sort of a person he is. But by testing him in a position and seeing what he he does, even someone with so-so judgment would be able to know if he is wise or not. Han Fei would-bewisedoe People at present think that five sons are not too many and each son has five sons also, and before the death of the grandfather there are already 25 descendants. Therefore people are more and wealth Is less; they work hard and receive little. Han Fei hard-worksonthinking The ruler who possesses methods of government does not follow the good that happens by chance but practices according to necessary principles. Law, methods, and power must be employed for government: these constitute its 'necessary principles.' Han Fei goodgovernmentpowerlaw A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world. Han Fei findconflictwiseworld The object of rewards is to encourage; that of punishments, to prevent. If rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishments are heavy, what he does not want will be swiftly prevented. Han Fei encouragehighwillwant A ruler makes use of the majority and neglects the minority, and so he does not devote himself to virtue but to law. Han Fei minorityvirtueuselaw The intelligent ruler does not value people who are of themselves good without rewards and punishments. Why is that? The laws of the state cannot be neglected, and it is not one man who is being ruled. Han Fei valuegoodmanpeople A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler. Han Fei rulerhisfatherson The intelligent ruler makes the law select men and makes no arbitrary appointment himself; he makes the law measure merits and makes no arbitrary judgment himself. Han Fei measureintelligentlawmen A wise man, when he writes a book, sets forth his arguments fully and clearly; an enlightened ruler, when he makes his laws, sees to it that every contingency is provided for in detail. Han Fei wise-manmanwisebook The Way is the beginning of the ten thousand things and the guiding thread of truth and falsity. Han Fei beginningthingstruthway Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day. Han Fei inferiorsuperiorbattlesday I believe it is impossible to be sure of anything. Han Fei anythingi-believeimpossiblebelieve
