Hán fēi zǐ 韓非子
Master Hán Fēi
attributed to 韓非 (Hán Fēi, c. 280–233 BCE)
The foundational text of Chinese Legalism — Hán Fēi’s systematic synthesis of the Warring-States Fǎ jiā 法家 traditions. Fifty-five essays on law, statecraft, and political position, including celebrated philosophical-literary chapters (Jiě Lǎo 解老, Yù Lǎo 喻老, Wǔ dù 五蠹, Nán sān 難三, Shuì nán 說難). Preserved as DZ 1177 / CT 1177 (Tài qīng bù 太清部).
Dating. Core essays late Warring-States; compilation Hàn. Dynasty: 戰國-漢.
Translations and research
- Watson, Burton. Han Fei Tzu: Basic Writings. Columbia UP, 1964.
- Liao, W. K. The Complete Works of Han Fei Tzu. 2 vols. London: Probsthain, 1939, 1959.
- Goldin, Paul R., ed. Dao Companion to the Philosophy of Han Fei. Springer, 2013.