Han Fei

Han Fei (韓非) also known as Han Feizi (韓非子) (Warring States Period, ca. 280–233 BC) was a Chinese philosopher.

Quotes

• The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong.
  • from "The Way of the Ruler", Han Fei Tzu: Basic Writings, Columbia University Press, New York, 1996. Translated by Burton Watson.

• In dealing with those who share his bed, the enlightened ruler may enjoy their beauty but should not listen to their special pleas...
  • from "The Eight Villanies", Han Fei Tzu: Basic Writings, Columbia University Press, New York, 1996. Translated by Burton Watson.

• From your place of darkness observe the defects of others. See but do not appear to see; listen but do not seem to listen; know but do not let it be known that you know. When you perceive the trend of a man's words, do not change them, do not correct them, but examine them and compare them with the results.
  • "The Way of the Ruler", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• Take hold of the handles of government carefully and grip them tightly. Destroy all hope, smash all intention of wresting them from you; allow no man to covet them.
  • "The Way of the Ruler", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• Be immeasurably great, be unfathomably deep; make certain that names and results tally, examine laws and customs, punish those who act willfully, and the state will be without traitors.
  • "The Way of the Ruler", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• No state is forever strong or forever weak. If those who uphold the law are strong, the state will be strong; if they are weak, the state will be weak.
  • "On Having Standards", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• A truly enlightened ruler uses the law to select men for him; he does not choose them himself. He uses the law to weigh their merits; he does not attempt to judge them for himself.
  • "On Having Standards", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• When all within the four seas have been put in their proper places, [the sage] sits in darkness to observe the light. When those to his left and right have taken their places, he opens the gate to face the world. He changes nothing, alters nothing, but acts with the two handles of reward and punishment, acts and never ceases: this is what is called walking the path of principle.
  • "Wielding Power", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• The way of the ruler is to make certain that, if what a minister says beforehand does not tally with what he says later, or what he says later does not tally with what he has said previously, then although he may have fulfilled his task with distinction, he is condemned to certain punishment. This is what it means to hold your subordinates responsible.
  • "Facing South", in Han Feizi: Basic Writings (2003)

• To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.
  • from "Having Regulations—A Memorandum" in The Complete Works of Han Fei Tzu, Volume I, Arthur Probsthain, London, 1939. Translated by W.K. Liao.

• Remote fountains are of little help to nearby fires.
  • 遠水不救近火也。 from Han Fei Tzu Volume 22 (s:zh:韓非子#說林上第二十二)