Law Quote by Han Fei
“If you rely on political factions to promote men to office, the people will work to develop instrumental relationships and will not seek to be useful with regard to the law. Thus, a ruler who mistakes reputation for ability when assigning offices will see his state fall into disorder.”
About This Quote
Source Text: Han Fei's "Han Feizi", c. 3rd century BC
Relying on factional politics creates self‑interest and neglect of lawful duty, leading to disorder when reputation replaces competence.
In simple terms: Factions cause self‑interest, harming law and order.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize merit over reputation.
Themes
politics
ethics
governance
leadership
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government appointments
- bureaucratic reform
- public administration
- anti‑corruption measures
Key Concepts
Legalism
reputation
instrumental relationships
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure competence is recognized over reputation?
- What safeguards prevent factional influence?
A Different Perspective
Meritocracy can be hard to measure objectively.
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