Legalism

“The people will love their ruler and obey his commandments, even to death, if they are engaged in farming morning and evening; but they will be of no use if they see that glib-tongued, itinerant scholars succeed in being honored in serving the prince, that merchants succeed in enriching their families, and that artisans have plenty to live upon. If the people see both the comfort and the advantage of these three walks of life, then they will indubitably shun agriculture; shunning agriculture, they will care little for their homes; caring little for their homes, they will certainly not fight and defend them for the ruler’s sake.” (Legalists and Militarists, 195)
This passage is meant to create an image of what the ideal Legalist society would be like. The Legalism doctrine is mainly a series of ideas and rules by which the society and government must follow to achieve a stable and balanced state. Through strict laws and equal punishment, Legalism sought to maintain order and a steady balance throughout society. Legalism was born into ancient China during the Warring States period, a time of great chaos and instability, and was meant to provide a helpful solution in the protection and safeguarding of one’s state. Reflecting upon this “school of thought” in our present society, the idea doesn’t sound practical, but for the struggles ancient Chinese states were going through, Legalism was perhaps the most intelligent and insightful response that could have been put to use.
This specific passage is meant to show exactly how Legalism was enforced in a state. “The people will love their ruler and obey his commandments, even to death, if they are engaged in farming morning and evening”. This quote suggests the idea that if everyone has the same occupation, and lives identically with each enjoying an ordinary life, then the state as a whole would be much stronger than one of constant social mobility and inequality. This passage gives insight into the hopeful outcomes a Legalist society would provide. It seems that in a Legalist society there can only be a “successful” chain of events or reactions, or a “failing” chain, with no in between alternative. The “successful” chain would mean that everyone would virtually be living the same, thus the people will be happy, thus the state would be strong, and thus war wouldn’t be a threat. The “failing” chain would mean that there is inequality in the distribution of occupations among the society, with favoritism playing a role. This would then lead to a revolt amongst the “lower” class and cause them to shun their work (mainly farming), which would inevitably lead to a muddled state of confusion and anger with no unity in defense. A typical Legalist society was very dependent on agriculture, and thus directed their people to farming. With all of the people of a state farming, and the experienced and educated officials running and leading the state, order would be present and thus stability and balance. Although Legalism is basically designed to weaken and oppress the people in order to maintain the perfect state, it is important to keep in mind the circumstances presented in the particular time period. Through oppressing the people, Legalism might actually prove successful, and keep its promise in keeping all of its civilians protected.
It is evident that Legalism was created after the influence Confucianism had upon ancient Chinese society. The ideal Confucian society was opposed by a Legalist society because of its lack of practicality, its unequal distribution of rewards, and its constant social mobility. “But they [the farmers] will be of no use if they see that glib-tongued, itinerant scholars succeed in being honored…” This quote shows Legalism’s apparent distaste for a society of Confucian scholars, and those more concerned with whimsical ideas rather than the present, or reality. A Legalist society had no room for the “glib-tongued, itinerant scholar” or the merchants and artisans who were able to enjoy more commodities than those of the farming class. To have a state with farming as the only occupation, the state would know no jealously, anger, or dissatisfaction. Legalism was originally developed as a response to present times in China, and thus it greatly opposed Confucian ideal of practicing rites, filial piety, music, and other impractical ideas. Legalists condemned these practices as a waste of time if they had no impact on reality.
This passage connects to the overall philosophy of Legalism because it emphasizes again the order and practicality their ideals held. With a strong central authority, and “weaker” followers of the society, there would be no threats to the society or state. Merchants, artisans, and scholars were viewed as a potential threat and danger to an ideal perfect society, and Legalists most likely got this idea from viewing the chaos in an ordinary Confucian society. Anger arose in a state because of the unequal application of honor and praise. “If the people see both the comfort and the advantage of these three walks of life, then they will indubitably shun agriculture; shunning agriculture, they will care little for their homes; caring little for their homes, they will certainly not fight and defend them for the ruler’s sake.” This quote shows the underlying fear Legalist states had, of the idea of that its people may not care enough to defend their homes. If there is an equal balance in the society then everyone should be happy. Nevertheless, Legalism was an intense concept but important in its time period and perhaps kept some states in order more than others which during ancient China was a positive element.