Han Feizi
~280–233 BCE · Chinese (Han state) · Warring States Period
Known for: The philosopher who said laws should be so clear that even a fool can't break them and so harsh that nobody wants to
Han Feizi was the greatest theorist of Chinese Legalism — the philosophy that human nature is selfish and only strict laws, clear rewards, and severe punishments can maintain order. His ideas were adopted by the Qin dynasty to unify China through the most effective authoritarian system the ancient world had seen.
Ironically, he was killed by his former classmate Li Si, who saw him as a rival for the emperor's favor.
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