The Difficulty of Persuasion

Han FeiBashu Publishing House · ChinaJul 2024

4.5

Word count: 767 words
Chapters: 2

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Summary

A phrase people often use to express emotion, a term commonly employed to sum up a meaning that words cannot convey.

Editor's review

"Nan Yan" (The Difficulty of Speech) is a famous piece in which Han Fei discusses the difficulty of speech. Its core lies in revealing the predicament of a subject who offers counsel to his ruler: blunt words provoke anger, tactful words are treated with contempt, elaborate words are deemed verbose, and concise words are deemed crude, so emotions and intentions are often hard to convey accurately. The summary "cannot be conveyed even with words" points to the piece's deep concern with the limits of speech and the risks of communication. The 2024 Bashu Publishing House edition gives readers convenient access to this short piece. Its value lies not in offering communication techniques but in letting readers see the fragility of speech under power structures and the position of the one who offers counsel. Readers can sense the practical concern behind Han Fei's cold, severe style, and can also use it as an entry point for understanding pre-Qin argumentative prose and ruler-subject relations. It is short and suited to close reading and reflection, but one should not expect a plot-driven reading experience.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in pre-Qin philosophical prose and argumentative genres
Students studying Han Fei's thought and concerned with ruler-subject relations and the problem of offering counsel
Readers who enjoy short philosophical texts and are willing to think about the limits of verbal expression

Not a good fit for

Readers hoping for practical communication skills or elocution training
Beginners who prefer light stories and lack patience for classical Chinese argumentation

Reading tips

First read the original once to feel its tone and rhythm, then use the annotations to clarify, paragraph by paragraph, the layers of the counsel-offering predicament
Excerpt the various dilemmas of speech listed in the text and summarize Han Fei's argumentative structure
Read it alongside other chapters in Han Feizi that discuss "speech" to appreciate the intent behind his repeated expositions
After reading, try to confirm the "difficulty of speech" with your own experience to deepen understanding

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 problem does "Nan Yan" mainly discuss?

It mainly discusses the difficulty a subject faces in offering counsel to his ruler: whether words are blunt, tactful, elaborate, or concise, they may lead to misunderstanding or provoke anger, and the speaker finds it hard to convey intentions accurately. Through this, Han Fei reveals the limits and risks of verbal expression under power relations rather than simply discussing speaking techniques.

Which tone should the "nan" in "Nan Yan" be read in?

Here "nan" means difficulty or hardship and is usually read in the second tone. The title means "the difficulty of speech," unlike the "nan" meaning "to rebuke" in "Nan Shi"; paying attention to the distinction while reading helps grasp the piece's main idea.

Can someone without a classical Chinese foundation read this piece?

You can try, but annotations or a translation will help. The original is classical Chinese argumentation, and its sentence patterns and allusions pose some barriers. It is advisable to read a translation first to grasp the general meaning, then return to the original to feel its argumentative tone; there is no need to insist on word-for-word mastery, as long as you understand the overall line of thought.

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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.