Han Fei

Date of Birth: 280 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 233 BCE

Biography

Han Fei, also known as Han Feizi, was a prominent Chinese philosopher and legal theorist who lived during the Warring States period. He is best known for his work in developing the doctrine of Legalism, which asserts that a strong, centralized state and a strict legal code are essential for maintaining order and control. Born into the ruling family of the Han state, Han Fei was a member of the aristocracy and received an extensive education. He was a disciple of the Confucian philosopher Xunzi but later diverged from Confucian teachings to develop his own ideas. Han Fei’s writings, compiled in the book “Han Feizi,” influenced the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and played a significant role in shaping the legal institutions of the Qin Dynasty. Tragically, Han Fei’s life was cut short when he was imprisoned and forced to commit suicide by political rivals within the Qin court.

5 Interesting Facts about Han Fei

1. Han Fei was a member of the ruling family of the Han state, giving him a unique perspective on governance and power.

2. He studied under Xunzi, a prominent Confucian thinker, before developing his own legalist philosophy.

3. Han Fei’s writings were compiled into a book called “Han Feizi,” which remains a foundational text in Chinese legal and political theory.

4. His ideas greatly influenced the policies of the Qin Dynasty, particularly under the rule of Qin Shi Huang.

5. Despite his contributions to Chinese political thought, Han Fei was forced to commit suicide due to political intrigue and rivalry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Han Fei

1. “The intelligent ruler controls his ministers by means of two handles alone: punishment and favor.”

2. “When rulers are weak, their ministers become strong.”

3. “An intelligent ruler makes the law select men and makes no arbitrary decisions himself; he makes the law measure merits and makes no arbitrary awards himself.”

4. “If rewards are high, then what the ruler wants will be quickly effected; if punishments are heavy, what he does not want will be swiftly prevented.”

5. “The way to govern a kingdom is to employ the services of worthy men, set up laws to control the unworthy, and reward and punish without bias.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As an ancient philosopher and statesman, Han Fei did not accumulate a net worth in the modern sense. His influence and legacy lie in his intellectual contributions rather than personal wealth.