The Forest of Persuasions, Part One

韩非子Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) · ChinaJun 2024

4.6

Word count: 3.7K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Han Fei witnessed the poverty and weakness of the State of Han in the late Warring States period and repeatedly submitted memorials to the King of Han, hoping to change the situation in which governance did not attend to law and institutions, and the nurtured were not employed while the employed were not nurtured. His proposals were never adopted. Han Fei believed this was because "the honest and upright cannot be tolerated by crooked and perverse ministers." He therefore withdrew and wrote books, producing works such as "Solitary Indignation," "The Five Vermin," "Inner and Outer Congeries," "Forest of Tales," and "The Difficulty of Persuasion."

Editor's review

"Shuo Lin Shang" is a chapter in "Han Feizi" that collects historical events and fables, using a large number of short stories to convey Legalist political judgments, involving ruler-minister relations, the gains and losses of statecraft, the success and failure of employing people, and the cunning of dealing with the world. Unlike chapters such as "Solitary Indignation" and "The Five Vermin," which state their positions directly, this chapter is closer to a sourcebook: the stories are short and pointed, reading like case after case with conclusions attached. Its value lies in letting readers understand Han Fei's cold observation of human nature and power through concrete situations, and in showing the narrative techniques of Warring States argumentative prose. When reading, attention should be paid to the discussion after each story, for that is where the author's real point lies; at the same time, one should realize that these stories mostly serve argumentation and should not be treated as reliable history. It is suitable as an introductory selection for understanding Legalist thought and pre-Qin fables, and also suitable for writers and speakers seeking material.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want a preliminary understanding of Han Fei's Legalist thought and can start with stories
Language learners studying pre-Qin fables and argumentative prose
Writers, speakers, and teachers who need short case materials
General readers interested in Warring States politics and ruler-minister relations

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking systematic philosophical exposition, as this chapter is mainly story material
Readers who prefer light stories and do not want to think about what the discussions point to

Reading tips

After reading each story, first think of the conclusion yourself, then look at the original discussion
Classify the stories by theme, such as employing people, statecraft, and dealing with the world, for easier comparison
Read alongside other chapters of "Han Feizi" to understand its thought system

About the publisher

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) China · Founded in 1901

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) was a private publishing and distribution house in Shanghai during the late Qing and early Republican periods, issuing traditional works by lithographic printing. Judging from the 1,194 titles in the collection, its publishing focused on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, historical reading, traditional Chinese medical texts, and canonical works, along with books on literary appreciation. Representative titles include the poetry and prose collections of Du Fu and Ouyang Xiu; historical works such as the Book of Han and Zizhi Tongjian; classical texts such as the Book of Documents and Mencius; and specialized and literary classics such as Treatise on Cold Damage and Li Sao. Its author resources cover major figures across the ages, including Du Fu, Ban Gu, Sima Guang, Zhang Zhongjing, Qu Yuan, Ouyang Xiu, and Tang Shenwei, reflecting the house's characteristic reliance on traditional scholarship and medical literature while serving general readers. Public information on its early history and operational details is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.

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FAQ

What is "Shuo Lin Shang" mainly about?

It collects a large number of historical events and fables, using concrete stories to explain ruler-minister relations, the gains and losses of employing people, statecraft, and ways of dealing with the world. It is case material Han Fei prepared for arguing Legalist positions, and short discussions often follow the stories.

Are the stories in the book all true history?

They cannot be lumped together. These stories mostly serve argumentation; some have a historical basis, while some were elaborated or turned into hearsay. When reading, one should focus on their argumentative intent rather than checking each one as reliable history.

Is it suitable for middle school students?

Yes, but an annotated edition or teacher guidance is needed. The advantages are short length and strong story appeal; the obstacles are classical Chinese and the institutions and names of things. It is advisable to read a vernacular translation first and then return to the original, focusing on understanding the moral rather than memorizing words and phrases.

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About the author

韩非子 Author

Han Feizi is regarded as the great synthesizer of Legalist thought in the late Warring States period; details of his life and native place are limited in publicly available sources and cannot be verified with certainty. The collection bearing his name contains seventeen of his works, including "Nan Yi," "Nan San," "Yang Quan," "Shuo Lin Shang," "Shuo Lin Xia," "Wu Du," and "Yu Lao," most of which are political and philosophical essays. These writings are known for their cold, rigorous reasoning and their skillful use of fables and historical examples to argue their points, analyzing layer by layer the dynamics between ruler and minister, the function of law and standards, and the changes of the age. Their language is concise and sharply pointed. Pieces such as "Wu Du" embody his emphasis on law, position, and statecraft, and have had a lasting influence on later political culture and essay writing; they are often classified under Eastern philosophy and miscellaneous prose.