商子

by Yang Shang

"商子" by Yang Shang is an ancient Chinese text from the 3rd century BC, regarded as a foundational work of Chinese Legalism. Named for reformer Shang Yang, who served as minister to Duke Xiao of Qin, the text advocates maintaining social order through impartial laws that strictly reward and punish citizens' actions. It promotes agriculture, discourages secondary activities, and encourages martial virtues for conquest. The work's anti-Confucian philosophy explicitly rejects ancient traditions in favor of pragmatic policies that strengthen the state and benefit the people.