Contents
Shang Yang was a Chinese philosopher and statesman who lived during the Warring States period of Chinese history. He is best known for his reforms to the legal code, military strategy, and statecraft of the Qin state. His teachings and quotes have been studied and admired for centuries, and continue to be relevant today.
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Who Was Shang Yang?
Shang Yang was born in the state of Wei in the 5th century BC. He was a student of the Confucian school of thought, and was known for his strict adherence to the teachings of Confucius. He was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Qin state in the late 4th century BC, and is credited with transforming the state into a powerful and unified kingdom.
Shang Yang was a proponent of legalism, a school of thought which emphasized the importance of laws and regulations in governing a state. He implemented a number of reforms in the Qin state, including the codification of laws, the introduction of merit-based civil service examinations, and the reorganization of the military. His reforms were largely successful, and helped to lay the foundation for the eventual unification of China under the Qin dynasty.
Shang Yang's Teachings and Quotes
Shang Yang's teachings and quotes have been studied and admired for centuries. He was a proponent of legalism, and his quotes often emphasize the importance of laws and regulations in governing a state. He also believed in the importance of meritocracy, and encouraged the use of civil service examinations to select the most qualified individuals for government positions.
Quotes on Laws and Regulations
- 'The law is the foundation of the state.'
- 'The law is the ruler of the people.'
- 'The law is the teacher of the people.'
- 'The law is the protector of the people.'
Quotes on Meritocracy
- 'The wise man selects the best men for office.'
- 'The wise man rewards the meritorious and punishes the wicked.'
- 'The wise man rewards the diligent and punishes the lazy.'
- 'The wise man rewards the honest and punishes the dishonest.'
Quotes on Military Strategy
- 'The wise man uses the enemy's strength against him.'
- 'The wise man uses the enemy's weaknesses against him.'
- 'The wise man uses the enemy's strategies against him.'
- 'The wise man uses the enemy's tactics against him.'
Conclusion
Shang Yang was a Chinese philosopher and statesman who lived during the Warring States period of Chinese history. He is best known for his reforms to the legal code, military strategy, and statecraft of the Qin state. His teachings and quotes have been studied and admired for centuries, and continue to be relevant today.
This comprehensive guide has explored some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from Shang Yang. His quotes emphasize the importance of laws and regulations in governing a state, the importance of meritocracy, and the importance of military strategy. His teachings continue to be relevant today, and are a source of inspiration for many.