University of Virginia Library


xxv

V

The present translation of Han Fei TzŬ's works has
been worked out principally in view of the author's
philosophy in general and political and legal thought in
particular. Though etymological problems are not ignored
at all, yet I have always seen to it that attention to words
does not lead to distraction from thought. It is the author's
thought that I have intended to restate intelligibly in English,
but it is the Chinese native colour that I have expected to
preserve as faithfully as possible. Between the horns of this
dilemma I have groped towards the realization of this work.