When an enlightened ruler controls his ministers, he makes it so that ministers cannot get credit for achievements gained by overstepping the bounds of their offices or make proposals and then fail to match them with actual achievements. 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 rulers trust-others dangerous It is not difficult to know a thing; what is difficult is to know how to use what you know Han Fei difficult know-how use People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness. Han Fei submissive doctrine people No benefit is more constant than simplicity; no happiness more constant than peace. Han Fei benefits simplicity happiness Claiming certainty without corroborating evidence is stupid. Han Fei certainty humility stupid 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 bed special may 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 fool claims philosophy 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-be wise doe The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong. Han Fei way 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-work son thinking 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 good government power law A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world. Han Fei find conflict wise world 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 encourage high will want 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 minority virtue use law 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 value good man people A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler. Han Fei ruler his father son 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 measure intelligent law men 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-man man wise book The Way is the beginning of the ten thousand things and the guiding thread of truth and falsity. Han Fei beginning things truth way Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day. Han Fei inferior superior battles day
