Kuan Chung

Kuan Chung (720 BC – 645 BC), also Guan Zhong, was a Chinese author and philosopher. He is also known for interesting anecdotes about him. He was adviser to Duke Huan of Ch'i. He is said to have advised the Duke, "Summon the wavering with courtesy and cherish the remote with virtuous conduct. So long as your virtuous conduct and courtesy never falter, there will be no one who does not cherish you." He is chiefly remembered for his reforms during a state of turmoil and his diverse works are a treasure of wisdom on economy and governance. Under Guan Zhong, Qi shifted administrative responsibility from hereditary aristocrats to professional bureaucrats. R. Eno of Indiana University does consider that "If one were to trace the origins of Legalism as far back as possible, it might be appropriate to date its beginnings to the prime ministership of Guan Zhong."

Confucius said of him that "It was due to Guan Zhong that Duke Huan was able to assemble the feudal lords on numerous occasions without resorting to the use of his war chariots. Such was his goodness! ... Through having Guan Zhong as his minister Duke Huan became protector over the feudal lords. He brought unity and order to the entire realm so that even today people enjoy his gifts to them ... I am afraid that without Guan Zhong we would be folding our lapels right-over-left."

Wisdom & Quotes

• If you plan for a year, plant a seed. If for ten years, plant a tree. If for a hundred years, teach the people. When you sow a seed once, you will reap a single harvest. When you teach the people, you will reap a hundred harvests.

-Kuan Tze

• Government prospers when it follows the will of the people; it fails when it goes against their will.
• If merchants are in the court, wealth will flow to the upper classes; if women have the final say in personal affairs, then rewards and punishments will be untrustworthy; if there is no distinction between men and women, then the people will have no sense of shame.
• The best plan for a year is to plant grain; the best plan for ten years is to plant trees; the best plan for a lifetime is to plant people. A tree that yields one harvest is grain; a tree that yields ten harvests is wood; a tree that yields a hundred harvests is people.
• Those who govern the people should ensure that men do not engage in immoral conduct and women do not engage in promiscuity. To ensure that men do not engage in immoral conduct is to teach them; to ensure that women do not engage in promiscuity is to discipline them. Teaching and cultivating good customs, and reducing punishments, is the rule.
• He who does nothing is an emperor; he who acts without purpose is a king; he who acts without valuing anything is a hegemon. Not valuing what is precious is the way of a ruler; valuing without excess is the way of a minister.
• Begin with no beginning, end with no end. Beginning with no beginning is the Way; ending with no end is virtue. The Way is immeasurable, virtue is incalculable.

Thales of Miletus