The Difficulty of Position

Han FeiBashu Publishing House · ChinaJul 2024

4.5

Word count: 1.8K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Master Shen said: The flying dragon rides on the clouds, and the soaring serpent wanders through the mist. But when the clouds disperse and the mist clears, the dragon and serpent are no different from earthworms and ants, for they have lost what they rode upon. When a worthy man submits to an unworthy one, it is because his authority is light and his position low; when an unworthy man can command the worthy, it is because his authority is heavy and his position high. Yao as a common man could not govern three people; Jie as Son of Heaven could throw the whole world into chaos. From this I know that power and position are worth relying on, while worth and wisdom are not worth admiring. When a crossbow is weak yet its arrow flies high, it is driven by the wind; when a man is unworthy yet his orders are carried out, he has the help of the multitude. When Yao instructed his subordinates, the people did not obey; but when he faced south and ruled as king over the world, his orders were carried out and his prohibitions were halted. Seen in this light, worth and wisdom are not sufficient to command the multitude, while power and position are sufficient to subdue the worthy.

Editor's review

"Nan Shi" (Refuting "Position") is a famous chapter of Han Fei's Legalist thought, in which Han Fei draws on Master Shen's metaphor of the flying dragon riding the clouds to analyze the concept of "position" (shi). Though brief, the text concentrates the core proposition of Legalist political philosophy: which matters more, worth and wisdom, or power and position? It contrasts Yao as a common man unable to govern three people with Jie as Son of Heaven able to throw the world into chaos, and further argues through the weak crossbow and high-flying arrow and the unworthy man whose orders are carried out that position is sufficient to command the multitude. The 2024 Bashu Publishing House edition makes it easier for modern readers to approach pre-Qin classics. The value of reading this chapter lies not in memorizing its conclusions but in following Han Fei's argumentative logic, understanding his cold-eyed observation of power structures, and thereby reflecting on the limits of the Confucian approach of rule by virtue. It is suitable as supplementary reading for the history of pre-Qin thought, Legalist studies, or political philosophy, and also for general readers interested in the ancient question of "power and ability." The text is short and suited to close reading and repeated savoring; it is not a narrative work to be skimmed quickly.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginning readers interested in pre-Qin Legalist thought who want to read the original texts
Students of Chinese political thought who need to grasp the concept of "position" (shi)
Readers who enjoy short argumentative texts and are willing to think about the relationship between power and worth

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a complete full-length monograph or systematic lecture-style interpretation
General readers who prefer literary narrative and lack patience for abstract argumentation

Reading tips

First read through once to grasp the thread of argument, then compare with Master Shen's original meaning to clarify Han Fei's extensions and rebuttals
Read alongside other chapters of the Han Feizi, such as "Nan Yi" and "Nan Er," to appreciate the argumentative style of the "refutation" genre
Mark key terms such as "position," "worth," and "rank" as you read to trace the chain of argument
After reading, try restating the core argument in your own words to test whether you have truly understood it

About the publisher

Bashu Publishing House China · Founded in 1983

Bashu Publishing House is a publisher centered on collating and publishing classical Chinese cultural texts, with its main publishing areas covering classical literature, Eastern philosophy, ancient poetry, and educational classics. Its library currently holds 1,075 titles, including representative works such as Dream of the Red Chamber, the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering, Renjian Cihua, and Out to the Frontier, involving authors such as Cao Xueqin, Wang Xizhi, Wang Guowei, Wang Changling, Liu Xie, and Yan Yu. These reflect the publisher's focus on literary classics, poetry criticism, and philosophical readings. Its publishing character lies in working around ancient texts and canonical works, with attention to textual collation and presentation. Public information on its more detailed publishing background and series plans is limited; this introduction is based only on the library's book information.

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FAQ

What exactly does "position" (shi) mean in "Nan Shi"?

"Position" refers to the dominating force conferred by authority, rank, and circumstances—that is, the political standing of the ruler and the authority arising from it. Drawing on Master Shen, Han Fei emphasizes that worth and wisdom cannot command the multitude without the support of position, and that position itself is sufficient to ensure that orders are carried out and prohibitions halted. This is the core Legalist emphasis on "position."

Is this suitable for readers with no foundation in classical Chinese?

The original is in classical Chinese and tightly argued; readers without a foundation will find it difficult. It is advisable to use an edition with annotations or translation as an aid, first understanding the general meaning and then returning to the original, rather than wrestling with every character. This Bashu Publishing House edition can serve as an entry point to the original text, but it still requires some patience.

Do I need to read other chapters of the Han Feizi before reading "Nan Shi"?

Not necessarily. This chapter can be read independently, but if you first understand Han Fei's basic views on "law" and "method," it will be easier to understand why he emphasizes "position." If you have the energy, you can read "Nan Yi" and "Nan Er" alongside it to get a feel for his argumentative style, then return to this chapter for a smoother reading.

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About the author

Han Fei Author · Chinese

Han Fei (c. 280–233 BCE) was a nobleman of the late Warring States state of Han and a disciple of Xunzi, and he is regarded as the great synthesizer of pre-Qin Legalist thought. Combining Shang Yang's "law," Shen Buhai's "method," and Shen Dao's "position of power," he advocated rule by law and centralized monarchical authority. His writing is precise in argument and sharp in tone, often using historical examples and parables to persuade, and is marked by a cool, forceful style. His works include "Solitary Wrath," "The Difficulties of Persuasion," "The Five Vermin," and the Inner and Outer "Storage of Illustrations," later collected as the Han Feizi. His themes center on political strategy, ruler-minister relations, and statecraft, with excursions into prose miscellany and the use of language, giving him influence in both Eastern philosophy and literary appreciation. Sent as an envoy to Qin, he was slandered by Li Si and Yao Jia and died in prison.