Be Averse to Slanderous and Malevolent Advice
57. A ruler must choose upright people to be his friends, appreciate scenery that is inspiring, and distance himself from decadent music and flatterers. In this way he can regulate his mind and promote the virtuous way.
Scroll 25: Wei Zhi, Vo l . 1
58. Someone might ask: “Is the ruler’s defense strategy targetting at the Si Yi tribes surrounding the land of Huaxia?” Answer: “This is only the foreign defense strategy of a ruler. His true defense lies in the cultivation of himself.” “Why is this so?” asked another. Answer: “The person in the highest authority has many ‘assailants’. The flatterers by his side will assail his feelings and compete for monetary favors. His wives and consorts will assail his feelings and compete for favoritism. The hedonist performers will assail his feelings and lure him to forget his missions. The junior officials by his side will assail his feelings and make him behave indecently. Unscrupulous ministers will assail his feelings and make him ignore critical issues. These are the thieves who assail and hasten the rotting of the ruling administration to its core.
Scroll 46: Shen Jian
59. Treacherous officials often used persuasions that seemed righteous to convince the ruler. If a ruler could not discern right from wrong, he would be confused and would gradually move away from the right path, assuming that he was still steering toward the right direction. That was a common fatal error made by most rulers. The words uttered by the treacherous are usually gentle and pleasing, flowery and full of flattery; but the words from loyal and upright officials are simple, direct, and often displeasing to the ears of the ruler.
Scroll 50: Yuan Zi Zheng Shu
60. A scoundrel would always laugh and throw compliments wherever he went. A stooge would always hit the bamboo drum box while lauding one’s contributions. But a deluded person might be led into believing that he could be as talented and eloquent as Zigong and Yanzi. This is, unfortunately, a foolish banner that could easily court trouble.
Scroll 50: Bao Pu Zi
61. Prime Minister Li Si advised Emperor Er Shi (the second empero
of the Qin dynasty by saying that if a person could not act freely after becoming a ruler, it might be likened to a man being handcuffed and restricted from moving around. Er Shi heeded this and ruled ruthlessly, thus bringing the Qin dynasty to an end in just three years, and Li Si and his whole clan were executed by this tyrannical ruler.Scroll 26: Wei Zhi, Vol. 2
62. A man of virtues appointed to run a competent administration would resign if false charges were brought against him, thus ending the efficient management of the country.
Scroll 15: Han Shu, Vol. 3