Quote by Han Feizi: “The ruler should hold the two handles: reward and punishment.”

This states that a ruler effectively controls their subjects by skillfully using incentives and deterrents. It implies that power is maintained through a balanced application of both positive reinforcement and consequences, making governance a precise art.

Han Feizi's Legalist philosophy provided practical advice for rulers during a chaotic era, emphasizing bureaucratic control and the use of 'two handles' (fa-shu) to manage officials and the populace effectively, ensuring state stability.

Chinese political philosopher of the third century BCE who synthesized earlier Legalist ideas into a systematic theory of governance based on law, political technique, and authority rather than moral virtue. His text, the Han Feizi, was highly influential in the unification of China under the Qin dynasty. He died in prison after being outmaneuvered by a rival at the Qin court.