--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The intelligent ruler does not value…" description: "\"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 ne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b22/han-fei-17920_good_the-intelligent-ruler-does-not-value-peo_977212.jpg" --- # The intelligent ruler does not value people who are of… ![“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.” quote by Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b22/han-fei-17920_good_the-intelligent-ruler-does-not-value-peo_977212.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b22/han-fei-17920_good_the-intelligent-ruler-does-not-value-peo_977212.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b22/han-fei-17920_good_the-intelligent-ruler-does-not-value-peo_977212.jpg) > “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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A ruler must enforce laws and rewards, not rely on innate virtue alone, because governance requires external incentives. **In simple terms:** Rulers need rules and rewards, not just good people. Key Takeaway Implement clear policies and incentives. Themes governance law incentives human nature Mood cautious analytical Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - state administration - leadership - public policy - organizational management Key Concepts Legalism political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance incentives with moral expectations? - What safeguards ensure fairness? A Different Perspective Relying solely on personal virtue may fail when individuals act selfishly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Intelligent Ruler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent-ruler-1915515/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Ruled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-ruled-1915516/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Punishments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishments/) [Punishments Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishments-laws-1915517/) [State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state/) [State Neglected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-neglected-1029463/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/) [Value People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-people/) ## Related quotes > [The intelligent ruler makes the law select men and makes no arbitrary appointment himself; he makes the law measure merits and makes no arbitrary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-intelligent-ruler-makes-the-law-select-men-and-makes-no-arbitrary/) [Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/) > [The corporations are powerful only because we have allowed them to be. 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