Background
Feizi Han was born in 475 (B.C.) in China.
韓非子
Feizi Han was born in 475 (B.C.) in China.
Han Fei saw the gradual, but constant, decline of the State of Han and tried on several occasions to persuade the king to follow different policies, but the king proved incapable of following his advice.Ultimately, Han Fei's works made their way to the Qin State where the king, who later became the First Emperor Qinshihuang.But even though the First Emperor was pleased with Han Fei's advice, he did not fully trust him. Yao Jia, who had been censured by Han Fei for his conduct, played on the suspicion that, being a member of the royal family of Han, Han Fei could never be entirely loyal to the interests of Qin.The First Emperor accepted Yao's conclusion and had Han Fei imprisoned for a crime. Han Fei tried to defend himself, but he could not get an audience. So Li Si sent him some poison so that he could commit suicide. The First Emperor later regretted his condemnation of Han Fei and was going to pardon him, but Han was already dead.
Feizi Han belonged to the school of Ancient Chinese Philosophy called Legalism. Legalism assumed that people were naturally evil and always acted to avoid punishment while simultaneously trying to achieve gains. Thus, the law must severely punish any unwanted action, while at the same time reward those who follow it.
Quotations:
"No country is permanently strong. Nor is any country permanently weak. If conformers to law are strong, the country is strong; if conformners to law are weak, the counrry is weak..."
"To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong. The law does not fawn on the noble..."