Based on the Works of Han Fei Tzu

Rewards, Punishments, and Laws

Adapt

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

Times, circumstances, and opportunities change, matters can be advantageous or the opposite, and things come and go.

When someone has a superficial level of understanding, he favors following estbalished standards, instead of following the way of what's effective right now.


In Lu lived a great shoemaker who was married to a great silk weaver. One day, the couple decided to move to Yueh. However, upon mentioning their plans to a friend, they were told, "You should rethink the move." When the man asked why, the friend's reply was, "You make shoes-but the people of Yueh walk barefooted. Your wife makes silk used for helmets-but the people of Yueh do not use helmets on their heads. Of what use will your skills be in Yueh?"

The wise ruler observes what people do, but avoids letting people observe his own motives.

You Can't Lift Your Own Self

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

A person, no matter how wise, strong, or mighty, cannot do everything purely through relying on his own wisdom, strength, or mightiness. Even someone as wise as Emperor Yao will not be able to accomplish the great without the support of the people; even someone as strong as u Huo will not be able to lift his own person without the assistance of others; and even someone is as powerful as Meng Pen or Hsia Yu will not be able to achieve constant victory without maintaining the law and using people the right way. Wu Huo found several hundred pounds to be light, but his own body to be heavy. And Li Chu found it easy to see across the longest distances accurately, but difficult to see his own eyelashes. He who employs others will not demand a Meng Pen to to lift hismelf, or demand a Li Chu to see his own eyelashes.

Using People

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

Tzu Chang was pulling a cart up a hill, but could not manage the weight. So, he began singing-and this attracted people around him, and caused them to help him take the cart up the hill. Suppose Tzu Chang did not have a method to attract people. Even if he strained himself to exhaustion or death, he still would not have been able to take the cart up the hill. He did not strain himself because he had an effective method of using people.


Meng Sun went hunting and got a young deer. He ordered his employee Ch'in Hsi Pa to bring it back. On the way, however, the mother deer followed and cried, and Ch'in Hsi Pa found this so unbearable that he returned the baby deer to its mother. Then when Meng Sun asked for the baby deer, Ch'in Hsi Pa said, "I couldn't bear the mother's crying, so I returned it." Greatly angered, Meng Sun fired him on the spot.However, just months later, he rehired him and appointed him as his son's tutor. When Meng Sun's driver heard about his, he asked, "Why did you blame him earlier, and then call him back and appoint him as tutor to your own son?" "Well," Meng Sun said, "he could not bear the ruin of a baby deer-so how could he possibly bear the ruin of my son?"

Persuasion

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

When it comes to persuasion, the key is to feature what someone wants to promote and downplay what he wants to conceal. When presenting suggestions, emphasize the good points of what you want to promote, and the bad points of what you want to discredit. Show how your suggestions correspond with the person's own interests. Praise and esteem the people, actions, and aims similar to his. Then, as you gain the ruler's trust and he comes to regard you as honest but loyal, you can be more forthright and open in weighing all pros and cons.

You persuade other mainly by knowing and adapting to their heart-and-mind. Generally speaking, it's not as important to be knowledgeable, or to make your ideas clear, or to utlize any other skills you might have.

When persuading: If you discuss moneymaking with someone who is concerned with virtue, he will end up regarding you as low, and either neglect or dismiss you. If you discuss virtue with someone who is concerned with moneymaking, he will end up regarding you as tactless and unperceptive, and he will not consider your statements. If you discuss virtue with someone who acts like he is concerned with virtue but is inwardly concerned with moneymaking, he will outwardly pretend to be receptive, but inwardly disregard you; and if you discuss moneymaking with him, he will outwardly pretend to disregard you, but inwardly regard your statements.

With a ruler, if you talk about high caliber people, he might think you are suggesting he is inferior to them; and if you talk about low caliber people, he might think you are trying to make yourself look good in order to manipulate him. If you discuss his likes, he might suppose you want to take advantage of him; and if you discuss his hates, he might suppose you are trying to meddle with his patience. If you speak too straightforwardly to him, he might think you are deficient and avoid you; and if you speak too fancily and explanatory, he might think you are conceited, and disregard you. If you are too unspecific when presenting your ideas, he might conclude you are too cowardly to express what you mean; and if you are too expressive and verbose, might regard you as someone who wants to look down at him.

Using Information the Proper Way

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

A rich man from Sung had a mud fence on his property that was damaged in a rainstorm. His son remarked, "If we do not rebuild the fence immediately, robbers might come." His neighbor also made a similar remark. Later that evening, the man was indeed robbed, and lost a great deal of property-and from then on, the man and his family had great regard for the son's judgment, but were suspicious of the neighbor.

Duke Wu of Cheng planned to invade Hu. In order to make the ruler of Hu let down his guard, he first gave his daughter in marriage to him. Later, he told his ministers, "I want to start a military campaign," and asked what region to invade. When one of them advised him to invade Hu, he angrily replied, "Hu is our brother state-how dare you suggest invading it!" and he thereupon had the minister executed. When the Ruler of Hu heard about this, he assumed that Cheng was on friendly terms with him, and did not guard himself against a potential invasion from it. And then not long afterwards, the people of Cheng made a surprise attack on Hu, and easily conquered the region.

In both of these cases, the two men made valid and truthful statements, yet they both ended up causing problems for themselves-one incurred his neighbor's distrust, and the other was executed. Though neither of these two men lacked the correct information, both of them used it the wrong way.


Long ago, Mi Tzu Hsia became popular with the ruler of Wei State.

At the time, the laws of Wei State said: "The punishment for secretly using the ruler's carriage without permission is a double foot amputation." One night, someone went into the palace and told Mi Tzu Hsia that his mother was sick. Upon hearing this, Mi Tzu Hsia forged a fake request from the ruler, used his carriage, and took it to go see his mother. When the ruler came to find out about this, not only was he not angry, he only had good things to say, and remarked, "What a filial child! Over his concern for his mother, he went so far as to risk having his feet cut off!"

Another time, Mi Tzu Hsia was walking outside with the ruler and eating a peach, and, tasting how delicious it was, offered the remaining half to the ruler. The latter then remarked, "Your love for me is truly genuine-so much so that you have put your own appetite aside, and concerned yourself with offering me the food you find delicious!"

But later, when Mi Tzu Hsia was older and less attractive, and the ruler was not so enamored with him anymore, a charge was brought against him by the ruler, who remarked, "Don't forget-this man once stole my carriage, and on another occasion he offered me a peach he had already eaten half of!"

Mi Tzu Hsia was first praised and later condemned for actions that remained the same-and this was because the ruler's love for him had changed into disdain.

When pleading with, explaining to, discussing with, or attempting to influence powerful people, first observe the person's particular loves and hates.

A powerful person has dangerous points that must be avoided, just like how a dragon that can be tamed, ridden, and played with also has dangerous sharp points that must be avoided. A prospective persuader who avoids them has gone a long way in being a masterful persuader.

Motives

Information

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

A ruler said to a wise man, "In running my state, I follow the old adage of 'obtaining information from many people's perspectives.' However, my expereince has shown me that the more people I consult, the more disorder there is in the state."

The wise man said, "You consult with many people--but all of those people are biased. All of those peopel conform their opinions to those of one wealthy, powerful, influential man--Mr. Chih. Even when you consult with 1000 people that have that bias, it's equivalent to conulting with just one person."


Nowadays, everyone knows about the teachings of the Confucian and the Mohist schools.

The Confucians highly esteem Confucius, while the Mohists highly esteem Mo Tzu.

In the few hundred years since the deaths of Confucius and Mo Tzu, There are eight Confucian sects--each of which claims to follow the true teachings of Confucius. There are three Mohist sects--each of which claims to follow the true teachings of Mo Tzu. Confucius and Mo Tzu each claimed to follow the way of the Ancient Sage Kings Yao and Shun. Confucius and Mo Tzu lived a long time ago, and Yao and Shun lived long before the two of them. We obviously can't know which Confucisn or Mohist sect really has the true teachings of Yao and Shun. And yet, some people will state that they are in fact following those teachings. If someone makes such a claim, he is doing so because hes's unaware of his ignorance, or he's trying to deceive you. Why should you put so much value in such a person's message?


The wise ruler observes all sides of a situation in order to obtain what is authentic.

The wise ruler listens, but makes speakers responsible for what they say.

The wise ruler investigates matters by maneuvering information, in order to use the known to find out the unknown.

The wise ruler listens to an adequate variety of sources, and does not only take advice from high-ranking ministers.

The wise ruler does not allow ministers to spread gossip and rumors.

The wise ruler investigates and verifies the information he receives.

The wise ruler is discreet, does not allow secrets to become public, and does not tell every minister what the others said.

The wise ruler is not easily swayed.

The wise ruler knows, but avoids being known.

Dealing with Women, Associates, and Relatives

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

The wise ruler, in conducting himself with women, enjoys them without allowing them to manipulate and control him with their requests.

The wise ruler, in dealing with his closer associates, enjoys them, but keeps them responsible for what they say and do, and does not let them express inappropriate or unasked for opinions.

The wise ruler, in dealing with his relatives, keeps them responsible for the results of their advice, and does not promote them erratically.

Superficial Views

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

T'an T'ai appeared to be a superior person. Confucius regarded him as having great potential, and made him a disciple. But then after interacting with him for a while, Confucius discovered that his conduct did not match what he appeared to be.

Ts'ai Yu's speech was brilliant and cultivated. Confucius regarded him as having great potential, and made him a disciple. But then after interacting with him for a while, Confucius discovered that his wisdom did not match his speaking skill.

Thus Confucius said, "Should I pick people based on their appearance or speech? I made a mistake with T'an-t'ai and Ts'ai Yu."

So even Confucius-who was supremely wise-had to acknowledge that his judgment was mistaken. And today's speakers are more articulate than Ts'ai Yu and more impressive appearing than T'an T'ai, while today's rulers are more easily deceived than Confucius-so if the latter merely assign people to office based on their appearance and speech, won't mistakes be easily made?


By only observing the color and tin percentage of a certain metal mixture, even Ou Yeh could not be certain of the sword's sharpness. But by seeing it easily slice and cut a variety of items, anyone could know much about its effectiveness.

By only examining the shape of a horse's teeth, even Po Lo could not be certain of the horse's quality. But by seeing it carry a full carriage for hundreds of miles, anyone could know much about its effectiveness.

By looking at someone's face and clothing and listening to his speech, even Confucius could not be certain of what sort of a person he is. But by seeing what he does when put in a position, anyone could know much about his worthiness.


Rather than altering the statements you hear, compare them with actions and see whether or not the two correspond with each other.


The superior person takes the inner feelings, but leaves the outer appearances. He is fond of the inner qualities, but hates the outer decorations.


A man, wanting to purchase a new pair of shoes for himself, measured his feet at home, and went to the marketplace. However, upon arriving there, he noticed that he had forgotten to bring the measurements, and he decided to go back and retrieve them. But by the time he made the trip and arrived back at the marketplace, it was closed for the day.

Upon arriving back home, he told his wife what had happened. "Why didn't you just try the shoes with your own feet?" asked the wife. "I have confidence in my measurements," the man replied, "but not in my own feet."

Authority

Putting Oneself in the Right Position

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

A Ruler should avoid the possibility of having other be in a position where they will benefit from his misfortune.


The Sage Ruler, rather than relying on people to do him good with love, institutes a policy that makes them have no way to do him wrong or avoid doing him good. Relying on the former is dangerous-it is depending on what very few will actually voluntarily do. Relying on the latter is safe-for one can make an entire state obedient and submissive be ensuring that there is no way people can do him wrong. And thus, considering how a ruler should obviously have more consideration for the many than for the few, he should focus on law more than virtue.


It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others, or let others be in control of what he wants-for this makes it possible for others to manipulate him.


Advantages

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

The wise ruler utilizes advantages, counteracts disadvantages, and does not overvalue minor advantages and thereby neglect of major ones.


Misfortunes can come when a ruler does not pursue major advantages he knows of, and does not do anything to stop early stage major misfortunes he knows of.


Efficiency

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

If a firefighting captain transports containers of water to the fire, he will only be doing one person's function, and will not achieve much in the way of results.

However, if he uses authority to give orders to the others, he can preside over many people.

Therefore, Sages and wise rulers do not neglect the big picture in order to pursue what is trifling.


By pursuing the right course, and endeavor can be accomplished without difficulties and great efforts.

Loyalty and Confidence

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

Li K'uei constantly told his guards, "Be careful and aware-an enemy attack might come at any time!"

But after the enemies had not attacked for months, the guards became exhausted, neglected their duty, and lost most of their loyalty to and confidence in Li K'uei.

And then not long afterwards, the Ch'ins attacked and destroyed them.

This is the misfortune of a lack of loyalty and confidence.


Petty loyalty can be the betrayer of major loyalty.


Problems can occur if people lack confidence in the ruler, inferiors lack obedience to their superiors, or the ruler relies too much on the premier.

Controlling Resources

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

The wise ruler, in doing favors, is in sole charge of resources, and does not allow his ministers to give them based on their own preferences.

Avoid

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

If the ruler lacks objectivity, is easily provoked, lacks prudence, is excessively sensitive, is angered by all things, is too quick to use weapons or thoughtless in entering wars and making invasion, and he does not properly train the military or the agricultural industry, ruin is possible.

*Do Not Be Excessively Meddlesome

Based on the works of Han Fei Tzu

Even if a ruler is wise, he should avoid being excessively meddlesome, and he should let things find their proper place.