Chinese - Philosopher | 280 BC - 233 BC
The object of rewards is to encourage; that of punishments, to prevent. If rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishments are heavy, what he does not want will be swiftly prevented.
Han Fei
WantWillHighHeavyRulerRewards
A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world.
WiseConflictWorldFindLawsRuler
He who is vain and delights in his own ability is deceived by his inferiors. When he likes to bring forth arguments and kindliness, his inferiors take advantage of his abilities.
Take AdvantageAbilityOwnBringWho
I believe it is impossible to be sure of anything.
ImpossibleBelieveI BelieveAnything
A ruler makes use of the majority and neglects the minority, and so he does not devote himself to virtue but to law.
LawVirtueMinorityMajorityRuler
If a ruler can get rid of private crookedness and promote the public law, his people will become secure, and his state will become well ordered.
PeopleLawWillBecomeWellGet
A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler.
FatherSonRulerSubjectHis
A wise man, when he writes a book, sets forth his arguments fully and clearly; an enlightened ruler, when he makes his laws, sees to it that every contingency is provided for in detail.
ManWiseDetailBookWise ManLaws
The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother.
MotherFierceSlavesSevere
The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.
MotherSonFierceSlavesWhoSevere
Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day.
DayBattlesSuperiorInferiorWage
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.
MenLawMeasureIntelligentJudgment
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