Shen Buhai ( Chinese : 申不害 ; c. 400 BC – c. 337 BC) was a Chinese essayist, philosopher, and politician. The Shiji records that he served as Chancellor of the Han state under Marquis Zhao of Han for fifteen years, from 351 BC or 354 to his supposed death in 337 BC. He died of natural causes while in office. A contemporary of syncretist Shi Jiao and "Legalist" Shang Yang , he was born in the State of Zheng , and was likely a minor official there. After Han conquered Zheng in 375 BC, he rose up in the ranks of the Han officialdom, dividing up its territories and successfully reforming it.
66-550: [REDACTED] Look up shenzi in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Shenzi may refer to: Shen Buhai , Chinese philosopher, or his lost work (Chinese: 申子 ; pinyin: Shēnzi ) Shen Dao , Chinese philosopher, or his lost work Shenzi (Chinese: 慎子 ; pinyin: Shènzi ) Shenzi ( The Lion King ) , a hyena character from Disney's The Lion King Wan Shenzi (1856–1923), Chinese writer Topics referred to by
132-566: A Confucian-oriented minister, Zhuge Liang is noted (by others) as attaching great importance to the work of Han Fei and Shen Buhai. Emperor Qinshihuang erected an inscription naming himself as taking control of the government and for the first time establishing Xing-Ming, as retroactive terminology for Shen Buhai's method. The Shiji records Li Si as repeatedly recommending "supervising and holding responsible," which he attributed to Shen Buhai. A stele set up by Qin Shi Huang memorializes him as
198-577: A book on xingming . Thus, Creel credits the origination of the civil service examination in part to Shen Buhai. The Emperor Xuan of Han was still said by Liu Xiang to have been fond of reading Shen Buhai, using Xing-Ming to control his subordinates and devoting much time to legal cases. Regarded as being in opposition to Confucians, as Confucianism ascended the term disappeared. As early as the Eastern Han its full and original meaning would be forgotten. Yet, it appears in later dynasties, and Emperor Wen of Sui
264-617: A book on Xing-Ming. The Emperor Xuan of Han was still said by Liu Xiang to have been fond of reading Shen Buhai, using Xing-Ming to control his subordinates and devoting much time to legal cases. Heir successor Emperor Jing of Han also had two mentors in the doctrines of Shen Buhai, and appointed another Legalist, Chao Cuo . Chao Cuo is regarded by the Hanshu as a student of the doctrines of Shen Buhai, Shang Yang and Xing-Ming. Unlike Jia Yi, he does appear to take interest in Shang Yang. Following
330-596: A central tenet of both "Legalist" statecraft and its Taoistic derivatives. Creel believed that the correlation between Wu-wei and Xing-ming may have informed the Taoist conception of the formless Tao that "gives rise to the ten thousand things." In the Han Dynasty secretaries of government who had charge of the records of decisions in criminal matters were called Xing-Ming, a term used by Han Fei , which Sima Qian (145 or 135 – 86 BC) and Liu Xiang (77 BC – 6 BC) attributed to
396-471: A more relevant Daoist forebear, Creel believed that Shen Buhai's correlation between an inactive ( Wu-wei ) ruler, and a handling of claims and titles may have informed the Daoist conception of the formless Dao (name that cannot be named) that "gives rise to the ten thousand things." He is credited with the dictum: The Sage ruler relies on measures and not on wisdom; he relies on technique, not on persuasions. Only
462-458: A name strictly on the basis of its form – this is the Method of yin." Yin aimed at concealing the ruler's intentions, likes and opinions. Despite such injunctions, it is clear that the ruler's assignments would still be completely up to him. Sinologist John Makeham explains: "assessing words and deeds requires the ruler's dispassionate attention; (yin is) the skill or technique of making one's mind
528-511: A particular method of applying the Dao, or virtue. He uses the imagery of the Zhuangzi of the knife and hatchet as examples of skillful technique in both virtue and force, saying "benevolence, righteousness, kindness and generosity are the ruler's sharp knife. Power, purchase, law and regulation are his axe and hatchet." Two advisors to Wen's heir, Emperor Jing of Han were students of Xing-Ming, one passing
594-425: A sage that, taking charge of the government, established Xing-Ming. The Shiji states that Emperor Wen of Han was "basically fond of Xing-Ming." The scholar Jia Yi advised Wen to teach his heir to use Shen Buhai's method, so as to be able to "supervise the functions of the many officials and understand the usages of government." Bringing together Confucian and Daoist discourses, Jia Yi describes Shen Buhai's Shu as
660-504: A single author at one time. It is thought to have been composed by Su Qin and his peers, before being obtained by Liu Xiang . Unlike many of the pre-Qin classics, the authenticity of Zhan Guo Ce , along with the Shijing , Mozi , Yulingzi and Gongsun Longzi had never been questioned since the Western Han period. The earliest to assert the texts were apocryphal scriptures was perhaps
726-453: A tabula rasa, non-committaly taking note of all the details of a man's claims and then objectively comparing his achievements of the original claims." Adherence to the use of technique in governing requires the ruler not engage in any interference or subjective consideration. Originally credited by Creel as syncretic precedent for Shen Buhai's Han dynasty association within the Fajia , Chapter 43 of
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#1732852139834792-430: Is by grouping particulars into categories through mechanical or operational decision-making (Fa or "method"). However, in comparison with the later, more mechanically developed Han Fei , his system still required a strong ruler, emphasizing that he trust no one minister. Shen's ruler had the widest possible sovereignty, was intelligent (if not a sage), had to make all crucial decisions himself, and had unlimited control of
858-482: Is complete acquiescence. (Merging his) personal (concerns) with the public (weal), he does not act. He does not act, and yet the world itself is complete. This Wu wei (or nonaction) might be said to end up the political theory of the "Legalists," if not becoming their general term for political strategy, playing a "crucial role in the promotion of the autocratic tradition of the Chinese polity." The (qualified) non-action of
924-546: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Shen Buhai Though the origins of the Chinese administrative system cannot be traced to any one person, prime minister Shen Buhai may have had more influence than any other in the construction of the merit system , and might be considered its founder, if not valuable as a rare pre-modern example of abstract theory of administration. Sinologist Herrlee G. Creel saw in Shen Buhai
990-422: Is not the way to rule." Noting all the details of a claim and then attempting to objectively compare them with his achievements through passive mindfulness (the "method of yin"), Shen Buhai's ruler neither adds to nor detracts from anything, giving names (titles/offices) on the basis of claim. Shen supported reward for visible results, using ming-shih for investigation and appointment, but the legal system of Han
1056-553: Is only by means of non-action that I control them.' Acting through administrative method (Fa), the ruler conceals his intentions, likes and dislikes, skills and opinions. Not acting himself, he can avoid being manipulated. The ruler plays no active role in governmental functions. He should not use his talent even if he has it. Not using his own skills, he is better able to secure the services of capable functionaries. Creel argues that not getting involved in details allowed Shen's ruler to "truly rule," because it leaves him free to supervise
1122-719: Is recorded as having withdrawn his favour from the Confucians, giving it to "the group advocating Xing-Ming and authoritarian government." Stratagems of the Warring States The Zhan Guo Ce ( W-G : Chan-kuo T'se ), also known in English as the Strategies of the Warring States or Annals of the Warring States , is an ancient Chinese text that contains anecdotes of political manipulation and warfare during
1188-459: The Han Feizi says: Now Shen Buhai spoke about the need of Shu (fa-shu "Method" or "Technique") and Shang Yang practices the use of Fa ("Standards" as including law). What is called Shu is to create posts according to responsibilities, hold actual services accountable according to official titles, exercise the power over life and death, and examine the abilities of all his ministers; these are
1254-524: The Fan clan by the Zhi clan in 490 BC up to the failed assassination of Qin Shi Huang by Gao Jianli in 221 BC. The chapters take the form of anecdotes meant to illustrate various strategies and tricks employed by the Warring States. With the focus thus being more on providing general political insights than on presenting the whole history of the period, there is no stringent year-by-year dating such as that found in
1320-504: The Warring States period (5th to 3rd centuries BC). It is an important text of the Warring States period as it describes the strategies and political views of the School of Diplomacy and reveals the historical and social characteristics of the period. The author of Zhan Guo Ce has not yet been verified: it is generally deemed, after Zhang Xincheng, that the book was not written by
1386-555: The "ruler's role and the methods by which he may control a bureaucracy," that is, its management and personnel control: the selection of capable ministers, their performance, the monopolization of power, and the control of and relations between ruler and minister which he characterized as Wu Wei . They can therefore easily be considered the most crucial element in controlling a bureaucracy. More specifically, Shen Buhai's methods (Fa) focused on "scrutinizing achievement and on that ground alone to give rewards, and to bestow office solely on
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#17328521398341452-416: The "seeds of the civil service examination ," and perhaps even the first political scientist . Though more conciliatory, Shen Buhai's fragments most resemble the much later Han Feizi , which recalls him and Shang Yang . Both works concerning "methods" (fa) of administration. But Shen Buhai was not necessarily familiar with Shang Yang's doctrine of reward and punishment in his own time. A work as late as
1518-606: The Fourth Century B. C., which were still used more modernly by Korean scholar Soon-Ja Yang in her review of Shen Buhai. Though not unifying the laws of the early Hann state , as Shang Yang did in the Qin, what Shen "appears to have realized" is that the "methods for the control of a bureaucracy" could not be mixed with feudal government, or staffed merely by "getting together a group of 'good men,'" but rather must be men qualified in their jobs. Unlike Shang Yang, Shen therefore emphasizes
1584-503: The Han Feizi's account or not, the Huainanzi says that when Shen Buhai lived, the officials of the state of Han were at cross-purposes and did not know what practices to follow. Shaughnessy points out that Shen Buhai would have at least been aware of Li Kui 's book of law, as Shang Yang's predecessor. Taking Li Kui as a hypothetical influence, Shaughnessy only suggests Shen Buhai as similar in
1650-675: The Marquis at the time of that event. Shen was known for his cryptic writing style. Because the writings attributed to him appear to be pre-Han dynasty, he is credited with writing a now extinct two chapter text, the Shenzi ( 申子 ), which is concerned almost exclusively with the philosophy of governmental administration. In 141 BC, under the influence of Confucians, the reign of Emperor Wu of Han saw Shen Buhai's name listed along with other thinkers classed as "Legalist" ( Fajia , with Legalist more accurate for Shang Yang ), officially banning their ideas from
1716-584: The Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, Emperor Jing reformed criminal penalties to reduce injustices and punishments. An advocate for the civil service examinations, Dong Zhongshu 's writings on personnel testing and control uses Ming-shih in a manner "hardly distinguishable" from the Han Feizi, but unlike Han Fei, advocate against punishments. Dong's advocacy aside, the civil service examination did not come into existence until its support by Gongsun Hong , who wrote
1782-778: The School of Diplomacy During the Warring States Period)". The book contained 27 chapters, 11 of which were found to be similar to the contents in Zhan Guo Ce and the Records of the Grand Historian . That publication appeared in Taiwan in 1977 as the Boshu Zhanguoce ( Chinese : 帛書戰國策 ). The texts were written in between the style of Seal script and Clerical script . The transcript
1848-484: The appointment and dismissal of his high officials," a plainly "Legalist" practice inherited from the Qin dynasty . This "conception of the ruler's role as a supreme arbiter, who keeps the essential power firmly in his grasp" while leaving details to ministers, has a "deep influence on the theory and practice of Chinese monarchy." Shen Buhai argued that if the government were organized and supervised relying on proper method (Fa),
1914-645: The basis of ability." Liu Xiang wrote that Shen Buhai advised the ruler of men use technique (shu) rather than punishment, relying on persuasion to supervise and hold responsible, though very strictly. Liu considered Shen's "principal tenet" to be ( Xing-Ming 刑名). Representing equally applied checks against the power of officials, Xing-Ming seeks the right person for the job through the examination of skill, achievement and (more rarely) seniority. Shen Buhai's personnel control, or rectification of names (crudely, "office titles") worked through "strict performance control," correlating performance and posts. It would become
1980-627: The bibliographies of both Tang histories, its only traces remain as quotes in surviving texts in Qunshu Zhiyao , compiled in 631, and Yilin , compiled around 786. During the Qing Dynasty , three major attempts were made to reconstruct the contents of the work, the last mention occurring in 1616, and in a library catalogue from 1700. Its fragments were re-assembled by Sinologist Herrlee G. Creel (1974) in Shen Pu-Hai: A Chinese Political Philosopher of
2046-609: The birth date is simply left out. Although Shen Buhai is recorded in Sima Qian's Historical Records as becoming Chancellor in Marquis Chao's eight year, traditionally 351, Creel suggests it more probable to date both Shen Buhai's appointment and the Marquis eighth year earlier, in 354, after the state of Wei sieged the state of Chao. As an earlier source, the Stratagems of the Warring States state that Shen Buhai had just found favor with
Shenzi - Misplaced Pages Continue
2112-428: The bureaucracy - over which, in contrast to Shang Yang, he is simply the head. Championing Fa (法 "method"), Shen believed that the greatest threat to a ruler's power came from within, and unlike Han Fei, never preaches to his ministers about duty or loyalty. Shen Buhai's doctrines, posthumously referred to by Han Fei as Shu or Technique (a term Shen may not have used), are described as concerned almost exclusively with
2178-651: The compiler of the Annotated Bibliography of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries , but he provided no warrant for it. In 1931, Luo Genze put forward an argument that the book was composed by Kuai Tong ( Chinese : 蒯通 ) in his two papers based on six conclusions which he drew, a contemporary of Han Xin . Although this argument had been seconded by Jin Dejian (1932) and Zu Zhugeng (1937), but by 1939 it
2244-536: The doctrine of Shen Buhai(400 BC – c. 337 BC). Liu Xiang goes as far as to define Shen Buhai's doctrine as Xing-Ming. Shen actually used an older, more philosophically common equivalent, ming-shih, linking the "Legalist doctrine of names" with the name and reality (ming shih) debates of the school of names . Such discussions are also prominent in the Han Feizi . Sima Qian and Liu Xiang define Xing-Ming as "holding actual outcome accountable to Ming." Ming sometimes has
2310-527: The duties of his ministers. With earlier modern scholars suggesting that Shen's statecraft blended with Daoism , sinnce the bulk of the Tao Te Ching appeared to have been composed later, Creel argued that it might therefore be assumed that Shen influenced instead the Tao Te Ching. With Wu wei having a broader ancient mileu than Shen Buhai, Creel's argument does not appear to have been "entirely convincing" in
2376-616: The fifth century still recalls him as having opposed punishment. With a mutual concern for fa methods of administration, relevant for penal records and practice by the Han, and often recalled together with Shang Yang by the Han dynasty , he was likely incorporated into the Fa or "Legalist" school through the Han Feizi 's syncretic association. Although Sinologists Benjamin Schwartz and Hansen would take Shen Dao as
2442-466: The government without interfering, maintaining his perspective. Seeing and hearing independently, the ruler is able to make decisions independently, and is, Shen says, able to rule the world thereby. The ruler is like a mirror, reflecting light, doing nothing, and yet, beauty and ugliness present themselves; (or like) a scale establishing equilibrium, doing nothing, and yet causing lightness and heaviness to discover themselves. (Administrative) method (Fa)
2508-500: The government; from that point on, scholarship relating to Shen's ideas went into a steep decline, despite continued use of his foundational ideas in administration, much of which, consisting of skill and report checking, would be unavoidable). Widely read in Han times, in comparison to the still-complete Han Feizi the Shenzi was listed as lost by the Liang dynasty (502–556). Appearing again in
2574-509: The highest grade of examination, and admonished Jing for not using it on the feudal lords. By the time of the civil service examination was put into place, Confucian influence saw outright discussion of Shen Buhai banned. However, the Emperor under which it was founded, Emperor Wu of Han , was both familiar with and favorable to Legalist ideas, and the civil service examination did not come into existence until its support by Gongsun Hong , who wrote
2640-491: The historical contributions from the School of Diplomacy, devaluing the book's historical importance. The book does not emphasize the historical facts or fiction, but appears to be an extensive collection of anecdotes with little bearing to the chronological order of chapter and narration. Since the 12th century, it has been widely debated whether the book should be considered a historical documentation from writer Chao Gongwu and Gao Sisun, and there have been attempts to categorize
2706-406: The importance of selecting able officials as much as Confucius did, but insists on "constant vigilance over their performance," never mentioning virtue. Shen insisted that the ruler must be fully informed on the state of his realm, but couldn't afford to get caught up in details – and does not, Creel says, have the time to do so, eschewing personal appointments. The way to see and hear independently
Shenzi - Misplaced Pages Continue
2772-480: The initiative, and from making himself conspicuous--and therefore vulnerable--by taking any overt action." Emphasizing the use of administrative methods (Fa) in secrecy, Shen Buhai portrays the ruler as putting up a front to hide his weaknesses and dependence on his advisers. Shen therefore advises the ruler to keep his own counsel, hide his motivations, and conceal his tracks in inaction, availing himself of an appearance of stupidity and insufficiency. Shen says: If
2838-420: The interpretation of laws, legal principles and definitions. Shen Buhai solves this through Wu wei , or not getting involved, making an official's words his own responsibility. Shen Buhai says, "The ruler controls the policy, the ministers manage affairs. To speak ten times and ten times be right, to act a hundred times and a hundred times succeed - this is the business of one who serves another as minister; it
2904-401: The interpretation, Tao Jiang takes her as illustrative of Creel, namely that Shen Buhai does not follow Han Fei's (significantly later) broader doctrine, but rather as aiming at a cooperative, impartial government along Creel lines. Lacking metaphysical connotation, Shen used the term Wu wei in an earlier, more Confucian sense to mean that the ruler, though vigilant, should not interfere with
2970-552: The preceding Spring and Autumn Annals . Stories are sorted chronologically by under which ruler they take place, but within the reign of a single king there is no way to tell if the time elapsed between two anecdotes is a day or a year. The book comprises approximately 120,000 words, and is divided into 33 chapters and 497 sections. The twelve dynasties the strategies pertain to are: The intellectual aspects have been disputed due to its stress on fame and profit and its conflicts with Confucian ideology. The book appears to overemphasize
3036-427: The questionable death date of Shen Buhai in 337 B.C. is correlated between multiple sources. He was supposed by Ch'ien Mu to have lived sixty or seventy years. The birth date of 400 B.C. is a compromise between 397 and 407 that was believed to be "safe" by German Sinologist Alfred Forke. Professor Tao Jiang still used it modernly in his 2021 dissertation, "Origins of moral-political philosophy in early China." Sometimes
3102-451: The ruler ensures his power and the stability of the polity. A commentary to the Shiji cites a now-lost book, quoting as Shen Buhai saying: "By employing (yin), 'passive mindfulness', in overseeing and keeping account of his vassals, accountability is deeply engraved." The Guanzi similarly says: "Yin is the way of non-action. Yin is neither to add to nor to detract from anything. To give something
3168-522: The ruler need do little—and must do little. Unlike " Legalists " Shang Yang and Han Fei, Shen did not consider the relationship between ruler and minister antagonistic necessarily. Apparently paraphrasing the Analects , Shen Buhai's statement that those near him will feel affection, while the far will yearn for him, stands in contrast to Han Fei, who considered the relationship between the ruler and ministers irreconcilable. However, Shen still believed that
3234-418: The ruler ought at least not mete out reward or punishment on mere recommendation or fame. A monopoly over reward and punishment does not itself make Shen Buhai or his ruler a Shang Yangian Legalist, even if Han Fei advocates it. Hence, Creel would argue that Han Fei does not himself consider Shen Buhai a Shang Yangian Legalist (although the concept of Legalist did not exist yet.) Whether it was itself relying on
3300-442: The ruler's intelligence is displayed, men will prepare against it; if his lack of intelligence is displayed, they will delude him. If his wisdom is displayed, men will gloss over (their faults); if his lack of wisdom is displayed, they will hide from him. If his lack of desires is displayed, men will spy out his true desires; if his desires are displayed, they will tempt him. Therefore (the intelligent ruler) says 'I cannot know them; it
3366-416: The ruler's most able ministers are his greatest danger, and is convinced that it is impossible to make them loyal without techniques. Creel explains: "The ruler's subjects are so numerous, and so on alert to discover his weaknesses and get the better of him, that it is hopeless for him alone as one man to try to learn their characteristics and control them by his knowledge... the ruler must refrain from taking
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#17328521398343432-467: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Shenzi . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shenzi&oldid=1176930189 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text Short description
3498-488: The sense of attempting to implement a more meritocratic government. Tao Jiang notes Korean scholar Soon-Ja Yang as still relying on Creel's fragments, taking the "absence of Shu much more seriously." Opposing Han Fei's comparison of him with Shang Yang, in favour of a more Confucian-Legalist interpretation, she interpolates a universal registry along the lines of the Confucian rectification of names . Not specifically endorsing
3564-596: The sense of speech—so as to compare the statements of an aspiring officer with the reality of his actions—or reputation, again compared with real conduct (xing "form" or shih "reality"). Rather than having to look for "good" men, Xing-Ming (or ming-shih) can seek the right man for a particular post, though doing so implies a total organizational knowledge of the regime. More simply though, it can allow ministers to come forward with proposals of specific cost and time frame, leaving their definition to competing ministers—the doctrine favored by Han Fei. Preferring exactness, it combats
3630-407: The small states, endeavoring to permanently establish imperial government without the dangers that destroyed the Qin. Creel elaborates a number of figures influenced potentially by Shen Buhai. These include Emperor Qinshihuang , Han figures Jia Yi , Emperor Wen of Han , Emperor Jing of Han , Chao Cuo , Dong Zhongshu , Gongsun Hong , and Emperor Xuan of Han , and Emperor Wen of Sui . Although
3696-611: The subjects and ministers lack Fa they will be insubordinate. Thus, neither can be dispensed with: both are implements of emperors and kings. Although Shu technique appears in the Shen Buhai fragments, Creel would argue that it had not evolved in yet Shen Buhai's time, considering their fragments as representing a later interpolation. It's question is a point of contention for the nature of Shen Buhai. As would not be unique, Edward L. Shaughnessy glosses Shen Buhai under Han Fei's Shu. He does not interpret him along Han Fei lines, but others have simply glossed Shen Buhai along Han Fei lines, with
3762-597: The tactics and trickery of the Han Feizi's later chapters, and even the harsh laws of Shang Yang. But, they would not appear to present any academic argument available in the English language. Sinologist Hansen (1992), current of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Daoism, recalls Benjamin Schwarz (1985) as citing Han Fei's two handles of punishment and reward as clearly part of Shu, in rebuttal to Creel's insistence that Shen Buhai
3828-490: The tendency to promise too much; the correct articulation of Ming is considered crucial to the realization of projects. The logician Deng Xi (died 501 BCE) is cited by Liu Xiang for the origin of the principle of Xing-Ming. Serving as a minor official in the state of Zheng , he is reported to have drawn up a code of penal laws. Associated with litigation, he is said to have argued for the permissibility of contradictory propositions, likely engaging in hair-splitting debates on
3894-415: The things that the ruler keeps in his own hand. Fa includes mandates and ordinances promulgated to the government offices, penalties that are definite in the mind of the people, rewards that are due to the careful observers of standards, and punishments that are inflicted upon those who violate orders. It is what the subjects and ministers take as a model. If the ruler is without Shu he will be overshadowed; if
3960-613: The title Zhan Guo Ce ; it was therefore not written by a single author at one time. Significant contents of Zhan Guo Ce were lost in subsequent centuries. Zeng Gong of the Northern Song dynasty reclaimed some lost chapters, proofread and edited the modern version. Some writings on cloth were excavated from the Han dynasty tomb at Mawangdui near the city of Changsha in 1973 and edited and published in Beijing in 1976 as Zhanguo Zonghengjia Shu ( Chinese : 戰國縱橫家書 , "Works from
4026-492: The west. Michael's Loewe's Cambridge History of China still refers to the Fajia loosely as early Daoistic thinkers. Considering Creel correct to distinguish between the stands of 'Legalism', Michael Loewe , in the Cambridge History of China, argued for their complementarity. Han Fei called both branches "the instruments of Kings and Emperors," and Li Si praises them equally, finding no contradiction between them. If he
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#17328521398344092-401: Was apparently confused, prohibiting uniform reward and punishment. We have no basis to suppose that Shen advocated the doctrine of rewards and punishment (of Shang Yang , as Han Fei did), and Han Fei criticizes him for not unifying the laws. Following Shen, Han Fei strongly advocated Wu wei . During the Han dynasty up until the reign of Han Wudi , rulers confined their activity "chiefly to
4158-455: Was influential in it, Loewe supposes that Shen Buhai's influence may have made Qin government more sophisticated and reasonable, as it appeared, than could be expected of the dogma of the Book of Lord Shang alone. Questioning the thrust of tracing lineages between the personas, Loewe characterizes Han dynasty persons potentially influenced by Shen Buhai as sympathizers of imperial government over that of
4224-470: Was not a Legalist. As at least illustrative of Han Fei, Hansen focuses on Shu "method" or "technique" as safeguarding the ruler's power to punish and reward, which must be kept in his hands, that punishment and reward can not be meted out without the ruler's approval, or that persons are immune to it. As compared with Shang Yang, the thrust of the more administrative Shu is not the establishment of fa as codified law. Rather, relying on fa (objective standards),
4290-555: Was probably composed around 195 BC before its burial, as the text tend to avoid using the word bang (邦), the personal name of Emperor Gao of Han , to circumvent naming taboo . According to James Legge's translation of the Book of Rites it shares a story with the Lost Book of Zhou mentioned in the Rites . The Zhan Guo Ce recounts the history of the Warring States from the conquest of
4356-411: Was refuted by Zhang Xincheng. The six versions of written works from the School of Diplomacy were discovered by Liu Xiang during his editing and proofreading of the imperial literary collection. Those works of political views and diplomatic strategies from the School of Diplomacy were in poor condition, with confusing contents and missing words. Liu Xiang proofread and edited them into the new book under
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