Concept
Guan Zhong
Overview
Guan Zhong (Chinese: 管仲; Wade–Giles: Kuan Chung; c. 720–645 BC) was a Chinese philosopher and politician. He served as chancellor and was a reformer of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. His given name was Yiwu (Chinese: 夷吾; pinyin: Yíwú). Zhong was his courtesy name. He is mainly remembered for his reforms as chancellor under Duke Huan of Qi, as well as his friendship with his colleague Bao Shuya, though his reputation remained controversial among the Confucians, as detailed in the appraisal section.
Through Guan Zhong's reforms and skilful diplomacy Qi became the most powerful of the feudal states and Duke Huan became the first of the Five Hegemons. Though knowledge of his reforms is limited, in particular he instituted a famous fiscal policy known as "balancing the light and the heavy", associated with salt and iron monopolies. Otherwise a diverse work, the Guanzi compilation making use of his name makes similar such recommendations.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
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But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible. 36. 1. When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going…
Laozi, The Tao Teh King
States what Guan Zhong is.
Few books have enjoyed greater popularity amongst all classes in China than _The Book of Filial Duty_. It may be called _The Book of Emperors_, from the fact that so many Emperors, both before and after Ming Huang, have commentated upon it. Equally it is _The Book of Youth_, being the first treatise of importance placed in the hands of children, after the horn books of elementary instruction.
Confucius, The book of filial duty
The author is tied to Guan Zhong in the knowledge graph.
3. Tsze-kung again asked, 'If it cannot be helped, and one of the remaining two must be dispensed with, which of them should be foregone?' The Master answered, 'Part with the food. From of old, death has been the lot of all men; but if the people have no faith in their rulers, there is no standing for the state.' CHAP. VIII. 1. Chi Tsze-ch'ang said, 'In a superior man it is only the substantial qualities which are…
Confucius, The Analects of Confucius
The author is tied to Guan Zhong in the knowledge graph.
Philosophers who discussed Guan Zhong
Related ideas
- Jixia Academy
- Lu (state)
- Spring and Autumn period
- Shiji
- Warring States period
- Legalism (Chinese philosophy)
- Qi (state)
- Zhou dynasty
- Confucius
- Guanzi (text)
- Cambridge University Press
- Lü Buwei
- Qin Shi Huang
Place in the tradition
Part of Legalism (Chinese philosophy).