Shen Buhai

Influential Chinese statesman and reformer during the late Warring States period.

Chronology: -385 – -337

Origins & Early Life

Shen Buhai (Chinese: 申不害; c. 400 BC – c. 337 BC) was a Chinese statesman, reformer and diplomat. According to the Shiji, Shen Buhai served as Chancellor of the Han state under Marquis Zhao of Han, for around fifteen years to his natural death in office in 337 BC, ordering its government and doctrines emphasizing Shu 术 (administrative) technique, though the term is Han Fei's and likely posthumous.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

According to Sima Qian, Shen Buhai was born in the central State of Zheng, serving as a minor official there. A contemporary of Shang Yang and syncretist Shi Jiao, after Han completed the conquest and division of Zheng and Wei in 376 BC, he rose up in the ranks of the Han officialdom, reforming its administrative practices, military defenses, and to a lesser extent issuing new laws, only about a half century after its founding. While it is not evident Shen Buhai was earlier as well known as another of the Han Feizi's predecessors, Shen Dao, his administrative ideas were influential enough to become one of Xun Kuang's critiqued "Twelve Masters" by the later Warring States period, and might have been renowned by the time of the Han Feizi. Shen Buhai seemed to play an influence on Han dynasty...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Source: Wikipedia