Han Fei

In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special…

— Han Fei

The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong.

— Han Fei

The Way is the beginning of the ten thousand things and the guiding thread of truth and falsity.

— Han Fei

The intelligent ruler makes the law select men and makes no arbitrary appointment himself; he makes the law measure merits and makes…

— Han Fei

“Past and Present have different customs; new and old adopt different measures. To try to use the ways of a generous and…

— Han Fei

A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler.

— Han Fei

People at present think that five sons are not too many and each son has five sons also, and before the death…

— Han Fei

He who claims to be sure of something for which there is no evidence is a fool, and he who acts on…

— Han Fei

The intelligent ruler does not value people who are of themselves good without rewards and punishments. Why is that? The laws of…

— Han Fei

Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day.

— Han Fei

The people in the well-ordered ages of the past upheld the public law and abandoned private strategies; they focused their intentions and…

— Han Fei

The ruler who possesses methods of government does not follow the good that happens by chance but practices according to necessary principles.…

— Han Fei

A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world.

— Han Fei

The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.

— Han Fei

A ruler of men faces two possible misfortunes: if he employs the worthy, the ministers will use worthiness as a pretext to…

— Han Fei

It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others.

— Han Fei

The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.

— Han Fei

Those who serve as ministers can be compared to hands: reaching up, they take care of the head; reaching down, they take…

— Han Fei

He who is vain and delights in his own ability is deceived by his inferiors. When he likes to bring forth arguments…

— Han Fei

If you rely on political factions to promote men to office, the people will work to develop instrumental relationships and will not…

— Han Fei

No benefit is more constant than simplicity; no happiness more constant than peace.

— Han Fei

If a ruler of men wants to put an end to vice, he must examine the correspondence between form and name and…

— Han Fei

Within the frontiers of a state, there are no more than ten people who do good of themselves, whereas if one makes…

— Han Fei

Claiming certainty without corroborating evidence is stupid.

— Han Fei

A ruler makes use of the majority and neglects the minority, and so he does not devote himself to virtue but to…

— Han Fei