Han Fei
People follow their interest, not their goodness: a sound state rests on law, reward and punishment.
Life
Han Fei (c. 280-233 BC) was a prince of the state of Han, a pupil of Xunzi, and the leading thinker of Chinese Legalism. He brought together his predecessors' ideas on law (fa), the technique of rule (shu) and authority (shi). For him people act from interest, not virtue, so a strong state rests on clear laws, rewards and punishments rather than on moral example. His writings, collected in the Han Feizi, impressed the future First Emperor of Qin; he died in prison in Qin in 233 BC.
Main works
A collection of chapters on law, the technique of rule and power, the foundation of Legalism (approximate date).
A critique of scholars, wandering knights and others who in his view undermine the law; times change, and so must remedies (approximate date).
A ruler should trust neither his ministers, his wife nor his sons (approximate date).
In his own words
« Ancient and modern times have different customs, and the new and the old call for different measures. »
夫古今異俗，新故異備。
« People by nature submit to power; few can be won over by righteousness. »
且民者固服於勢，寡能懷於義。
« Weeping and not wanting to punish is benevolence; but that one cannot help punishing is the law. »
夫垂泣不欲刑者，仁也；然而不可不刑者，法也。
« The ruler's trouble lies in trusting others. If he trusts others, he is controlled by others. »
人主之患在於信人。信人，則制於人。
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceClaims must be checked against observable results; he mocks those who rely on unverifiable authority.
Han Feizi (3rd c. BC), chap. "Xian xue" (Prominent Schools)
People act from self-interest, so order comes from clear laws, rewards and punishments, not from trusting goodness.
Han Feizi (3rd c. BC), chap. "Eight Villainies" and "Five Vermin"