Han Fei Quotes

Legislating should be done in a manner that is understandable to the governed.

I know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them: but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better: for good laws may want good men, and be abolished or evaded by ill mend but good men will never want good laws, nor suffer ill ones.

It is easier to get one or a few of good sense, and of ability to legislate and adjudge, than to get many.

They should rule who are able to rule best.

Democracy sounded well and good, but its results are seen not to agree at all with its title. Monarchy, on the contrary, has an unpleasant sound, but is a more practical form of government to live under. For it is easier to find a single excellent man, than to find many of them.

I would rather have a Scot come from Scotland to govern the people of this kingdom well and justly than that you should govern them ill in the sight of all the world

Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of a good government.

Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction

Happy is the one who knows the causes of things.

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.

Foreknowledge is power.

Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders …?

The wise man who has charge of governing the empire should know the cause of disorder before he can put it in order. Unless he knows its cause, he cannot regulate it.

To enter upon rulership of a country but not preserve its scholars will result in the downfall of the country.

Our system does not know how to bring strength and intellect into the front rank of politics and government...

A wise ruler, when he makes his laws, is bound to find himself in conflict with the world.

Good legislation should bring clarity and not confusion.

It's important to be enlightened.

If the first year of the Trump administration has made anything clear, it's that experience, knowledge, education and political wisdom matter tremendously. Governing is something else entirely from campaigning. And perhaps, most important, celebrities do not make excellent heads of state.

People have seen the Modi government's track record, and now they believe that if we say something, it will happen.

The real leader redefines or defines the mission in a very powerful way so that people understand it; it permeates the organization.

An epigram often flashes light into regions where reason shines but dimly.

Let us not confuse objectives with methods. Too many so-called leaders of the nation fail to see the forest because of the trees. Too many of them fail to recognize the vital necessity of planning for definite objectives. True leadership calls for the setting forth of the objectives and the rallying of public opinion in support of these objectives.

A world is supported by four things: the learning of wise, the justice of great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave. But all of these are as nothing without a ruler who knows the art of ruling.