---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The severe household has no fierce…"
description: "\"The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.\" — Han Fei"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg"
---

#  The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the…

![“The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.” quote by Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg)

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

[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 strict household lacks rebellious servants; instead, it is governed by a caring mother figure, emphasizing nurturing over harsh discipline.

**In simple terms:** Gentle guidance can be more effective than strict control.

Key Takeaway

Lead with compassion, not force.

Themes

leadership family discipline compassion

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

advisory philosophical

When to use this quote

- parenting
- management
- team building
- education

Key Concepts

political philosophy confucianism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance kindness with authority?
- When is firmness necessary?

A Different Perspective

Overly gentle environments may lack accountability.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affectionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affectionate/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/)

## Related quotes

> [The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-while-it-is-the/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/few-misfortunes-can-befall-a-boy-which-bring-worse-consequence-than/)

[W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/)

> [There is nothing so strong as the force of love; there is no love so forcible as the love of an affectionate mother to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-grimston/there-is-nothing-so-strong-as-the-force-of-love-there-is-no-love-so/)

Elizabeth Grimston

> [Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequences than to have a really affectionate mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-somerset-maugham/few-misfortunes-can-befall-a-boy-which-bring-worse-consequences-than/)

[William Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-somerset-maugham/)

> [I'm one of 10 children, and all my brothers call me Jim. And all my sisters... well, they call me something even more affectionate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-p-gorman/i-m-one-of-10-children-and-all-my-brothers-call-me-jim-and-all-my/)

[James P. Gorman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-p-gorman/)

> [Piglet was so excited at the idea of being Useful that he forgot to be frightened any more, and when Rabbit went on to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/piglet-was-so-excited-at-the-idea-of-being-useful-that-he-forgot-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Congress's definition of torture in those laws - the infliction of severe mental or physical pain - leaves room for interrogation methods that go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/congress-s-definition-of-torture-in-those-laws-the-infliction-of/)

[John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/)

> [One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder. These are not the worried well but those in severe mental pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/one-in-six-people-suffer-depression-or-a-chronic-anxiety-disorder/)

[Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/)

> [This crisis is not simply a more severe version of the usual business cycle recession, the typical downturn in which economies ultimately adjust and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-geithner/this-crisis-is-not-simply-a-more-severe-version-of-the-usual-business/)

[Timothy Geithner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-geithner/)

> [I have seen doctors, in good faith, leave patients on steroids for years, thinking they are doing right. A friend of mine was on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ann-mobley/i-have-seen-doctors-in-good-faith-leave-patients-on-steroids-for/)

[Mary Ann Mobley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ann-mobley/)

> [After an unremitting and severe labour of two days, we returned to our old encampment with the loss of some of my horses, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-ashley/after-an-unremitting-and-severe-labour-of-two-days-we-returned-to-our/)

[William Henry Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-ashley/)

> [Today's gasoline prices are taking a severe toll on Americans' pocketbooks. Consumers are anxious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-domenici/today-s-gasoline-prices-are-taking-a-severe-toll-on-americans/)

[Pete Domenici](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-domenici/)

> [All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chan/all-countries-should-immediately-now-activate-their-pandemic/)

[Margaret Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chan/)

> [The need for a college education is even more important now than it was before, but I think that the increased costs are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-romer/the-need-for-a-college-education-is-even-more-important-now-than-it/)

[Roy Romer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-romer/)

> [“Emira realized that Briar probably didn't know how to say good-bye because she never had to do it before. But whether she said good-bye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiley-reid/emira-realized-that-briar-probably-didn-t-know-how-to-say-good-bye/)

Kiley Reid

## More by Han Fei

> [In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special pleas...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/in-dealing-with-those-who-share-his-bed-the-enlightened-ruler-may/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-way-is-the-beginning-of-all-beings-and-the-measure-of-right-and/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [The Way is the beginning of the ten thousand things and the guiding thread of truth and falsity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-way-is-the-beginning-of-the-ten-thousand-things-and-the-guiding/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [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/)

> [“Past and Present have different customs; new and old adopt different measures. To try to use the ways of a generous and lenient government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/past-and-present-have-different-customs-new-and-old-adopt-different/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/a-filial-son-to-his-father-can-be-a-traitorous-subject-to-his-ruler/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [People at present think that five sons are not too many and each son has five sons also, and before the death of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/people-at-present-think-that-five-sons-are-not-too-many-and-each-son/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [He who claims to be sure of something for which there is no evidence is a fool, and he who acts on the basis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/he-who-claims-to-be-sure-of-something-for-which-there-is-no-evidence/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [The intelligent ruler does not value people who are of themselves good without rewards and punishments. Why is that? The laws of the state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-intelligent-ruler-does-not-value-people-who-are-of-themselves/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/superior-and-inferior-wage-one-hundred-battles-a-day/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 unified their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-people-in-the-well-ordered-ages-of-the-past-upheld-the-public-law/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [The ruler who possesses methods of government does not follow the good that happens by chance but practices according to necessary principles. Law, methods,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-ruler-who-possesses-methods-of-government-does-not-follow-the/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/a-wise-ruler-when-he-makes-his-laws-is-bound-to-find-himself-in/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [A ruler of men faces two possible misfortunes: if he employs the worthy, the ministers will use worthiness as a pretext to rob their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/a-ruler-of-men-faces-two-possible-misfortunes-if-he-employs-the/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

> [It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/it-is-dangerous-for-a-ruler-to-trust-others-he-who-trusts-others-can/)

[Han Fei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

[Explore all 36 Han Fei quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/)

## More Affectionate quotes

> [“Emira realized that Briar probably didn't know how to say good-bye because she never had to do it before. But whether she said good-bye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiley-reid/emira-realized-that-briar-probably-didn-t-know-how-to-say-good-bye/)

Kiley Reid

> [“She scanned the room, and her grin broadened when she saw Christian. She then sought me out. Her smile for him had been affectionate;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/she-scanned-the-room-and-her-grin-broadened-when-she-saw-christian/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [We must understand that God does not "love" us without liking us - through gritted teeth - as "Christian" love is sometimes thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-must-understand-that-god-does-not-love-us-without-liking-us/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [There never was a tonic that would cure more social ailments than a healthy, happy home. There never was a greater source of social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-evans/there-never-was-a-tonic-that-would-cure-more-social-ailments-than-a/)

[Richard L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/)

> [I am convinced that human nature is basically affectionate and good. If our behavior follows our kind and loving nature, immense benefits will result,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-convinced-that-human-nature-is-basically-affectionate-and-good/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [With no other privilege than that of sympathy and sincere good wishes, I would address an affectionate exhortation to the youthful literati, grounded on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/with-no-other-privilege-than-that-of-sympathy-and-sincere-good-wishes/)

[Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/)

> [One realizes that human relationships are the tragic necessity of human life; that they can never be wholly satisfactory, that every ego is half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/one-realizes-that-human-relationships-are-the-tragic-necessity-of/)

[Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/)

> [I can be affectionate about a lot of things without watching them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-can-be-affectionate-about-a-lot-of-things-without-watching-them/)

[Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/)

> [ If I do manage to come up with a scheme \[to naming\], however, I stick to it, which is why my cats are named… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-vernon/if-i-do-manage-to-come-up-with-a-scheme-to-naming-however-i-stick-to/)

[Ursula Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-vernon/)

> [Josh Radnor is that rare thing: a writer-director who thinks like an actor but still knows how to create a comedy with shape and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-gleiberman/josh-radnor-is-that-rare-thing-a-writer-director-who-thinks-like-an/)

Owen Gleiberman

> [Always when I see a man fond of praise I always think it is because he is an affectionate man craving for affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-butler-yeats/always-when-i-see-a-man-fond-of-praise-i-always-think-it-is-because/)

Jack Butler Yeats

> [I feel that a genuine, affectionate smile is very important in our day-to-day lives. How one creates that smile largely depends on one's own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-feel-that-a-genuine-affectionate-smile-is-very-important-in-our-day/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Shyama was very good looking and a good human being. She was warm and affectionate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waheeda-rehman/shyama-was-very-good-looking-and-a-good-human-being-she-was-warm-and/)

[Waheeda Rehman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waheeda-rehman/)

> [I simply contend that the middle-class ideal which demands that people be affectionate, respectable, honest and content, that they avoid excitements and cultivate serenity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-simply-contend-that-the-middle-class-ideal-which-demands-that/)

[Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/)

> [“I would trust you with my life. I'm betting that something evil would appear pleasing but feel foul." Gregori's glittering silver eyes settled on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/i-would-trust-you-with-my-life-i-m-betting-that-something-evil-would/)

[Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/)

[Browse all 282 Affectionate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affectionate/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Han Fei"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-but-it-is-the-affectionate/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Affectionate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-but-it-is-the-affectionate/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e17/han-fei-17920_family_the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slave_1157021.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.” — Han Fei",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Han Fei",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-fei/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The severe household has no fierce...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-but-it-is-the-affectionate/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-fei/the-severe-household-has-no-fierce-slaves-but-it-is-the-affectionate/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
