Han Fei (Chinese: 韓
非, p Hán Fēi; c. 280–
233 BC), also known
as Han Feizi, was a
Chinese philosopher
who, along with Li Si,
Gongsun Yang, Shen
Dao and Shen Buhai,
developed the
doctrine of Legalism
.
Here is an excerpt from the holy book for Taoists, The Tao Te Ching of
Taoism.
•When a wise person hears Tao, he practices it diligently.
•When an average person hears Tao, he practices it sometimes, and just
as often ignores it.
•When an inferior person hears Tao, he roars with laughter.
•If he didn’t laugh, it wouldn’t be Tao.
Thus the age-old saying:
• The way to illumination appears dark.
• The way that advances appears to retreat.
• The way that is easy appears to be hard.
• The highest virtue appears empty.
• The purest goodness appears soiled.
• The most profound creativity appears fallow
• The strongest power appears weak.
• The most genuine seems unreal.
• The greatest space has no corners.
• The largest talent matures slowly.
• The highest voice can’t be heard.
• The most luminous image can’t be seen.
•Tao is hidden and has no name.
•Tao alone nourishes and fulfills all things.
Only an intelligent ruler is capable of applying heavy punishments to light
offenses. If light offenses carry heavy punishments, one can imagine what
will be done against a serious offense. Thus, the people will not dare to
break the laws."
“Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will,”
says Lao-tse, “never, I notice, succeed.”
Those who know do not say; those who say do not know." "The superior men are sparing in their words and profuse in
their deeds."
The intelligent sovereign offers rewards that may be earned,
and establishes punishments that should be avoided.
"In serving his parents, a filial son reveres them in daily life; he makes them
happy while he nourishes them; he takes anxious care of them in sickness;
he shows great sorrow over their death that was for him; and he sacrifices
to them with solemnity."
Choices: Confucianism (C);
1. I take no action and the people are reformed.
I enjoy peace and people become honest.
Daoism (D); Legalism (L)
I do nothing and people become rich.
I have no desires and people return to the good and simple life.
2. The gentleman cherishes virtue; the inferior man cherishes possession.
The gentleman thinks of sanctions; the inferior man thinks of personal favors
3. The nature of man is evil; his goodness is acquired.
His nature being what it is, man is born first with a desire for gain.
If this desire is followed strife will result and courtesy disappears.
4. Keep your mouth closed.
Guard your senses.
Temper your sharpness.
Simplify your problems.
Mask your brightness.
Be at one with the dust of the earth.
This is the primal union.
5. Personal cultivation begins
with poetry; it is made firm
with rules of decorum, and is
perfected by music.
6. When it is left to follow it’s natural feelings,
human nature will do good. That’s why I say it
is good. If it becomes evil it is not the fault of
man’s original capacity.
7. Bestowing Reward and Honor: If reward and honor are insufficient and faithless, the
inferior will not obey. If reward and honor are great and of faith, the inferior will make
light of death. This is based on a saying by Viscount Wen: “The inferior turns to great
rewards and high honor just like the wild deer who go to luxuriant grass.”