Laws are the means of prohibiting error and ruling out selfish motives; strict penalties are the means of enforcing orders and disciplining inferiors… - Han Fei

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Laws are the means of prohibiting error and ruling out selfish motives; strict penalties are the means of enforcing orders and disciplining inferiors. Authority should never reside in two places; the power of decree should never be open to joint use. If authority and power are shared with others, then all manner of abuse will become rife. If law does not command respect, then all the ruler’s actions will be endangered. If penalties are not enforced, then evil will never be surmounted.

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About Han Fei

(韓非) also known as Han Feizi (韓非子) (, ca. 280–233 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher and strategist.

Also Known As

Native Name: 韓非
Alternative Names: Han Feizi Han Fei Zi Master Han Fei Master Han Hanzi Han-tsee Hane-tsee
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Additional quotes by Han Fei

The Law(道, Way) is Huge and Shapeless, its Moral extends everywhere.

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.

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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.

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