Han Fei Quotes & Sayings

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

People are submissive to power, and few of them can be influenced by doctrines of righteousness. — Han Fei

I believe it is impossible to be sure of anything. — Han Fei

No benefit is more constant than simplicity; no happiness more constant than peace. — 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 ... — 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. — Han Fei

By looking at a person's features, clothing, and speech, even Confucius would not be able to say what sort of a person he is. But by testing him in a position and seeing what he he does, even someone with so-so judgment would be able to know if he is wise or not. — Han Fei

Superior and inferior wage one hundred battles a day. — Han Fei

It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others. — Han Fei

A filial son to his father can be a traitorous subject to his ruler. — 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. — Han Fei

The way is the beginning of all beings and the measure of right and wrong. — Han Fei

The severe household has no fierce slaves, but it is the affectionate mother. — Han Fei

He who claims to be sure of something for which there is no evidence is a fool, and he who acts on the basis of what cannot be proved is an imposter. — Han Fei

It is not difficult to know a thing; what is difficult is to know how to use what you know — Han Fei

Claiming certainty without corroborating evidence is stupid. — Han Fei