Han Fei quotes

Han Fei was a Chinese philosopher and a major figure in the development of Legalism during the Warring States period. His writings emphasized the importance of strict laws and centralized control to maintain order in society. He influenced the political philosophy of the Qin dynasty and remains an enduring figure in Chinese intellectual history. Here are 18 of his quotes:

The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong. (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. View quote
Han Fei
To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong. View quote
Han Fei
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. View quote
Han Fei
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. View quote
Han Fei
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. View quote
Han Fei
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. View quote
Han Fei
It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others. View quote
Han Fei
People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness. View quote
Han Fei
Claiming certainty without corroborating evidence is stupid. View quote
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 grandfather there are already 25 descendants. Therefore people are more and wealth Is less; they work hard and receive little. (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 judgment himself. View quote
Han Fei
A ruler makes use of the majority and neglects the minority, and so he does not devote himself to virtue but to law. View quote
Han Fei
I believe it is impossible to be sure of anything. View quote
Han Fei
A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler. View quote
Han Fei
Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day. View quote
Han Fei
Remote fountains are of little help to nearby fires. View quote
Han Fei
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. View quote
Han Fei