(1) Human nature is evil

Legalists inherit and carry forward the theory of "evil nature" to some extent. Think that anyone has a "self-care" for himself. People are pursuing their own interests. They all like to relax and hate to work.

But unlike Xunzi, people's selfishness cannot be changed and does not need to be changed. It is only necessary to guide the situation according to the law, and the rewards and punishments are clear.

(2) Advocating the rule of law and strengthening the country by law

and repeatedly emphasizing: "Governance is stronger than law, and weakness is born in Afghanistan". Han Fei believes that only the rule of law can prevent officials from taking bribes and perverting the law; People's efforts in accordance with the law can lead to wealth; Officials at all levels are as fair as weighing and measuring, and such a country is naturally clear and powerful.

(3) advocate ploughing

ploughing, that is, farming. War, and combat. Unifying these two items can not only provide national economic security, but also strengthen national military security. Farming and war are regarded as two wheels to promote national development and progress.

Legalists believe that the power of "strength makes strength, strength makes strength, strength makes virtue, and virtue makes strength" determines everything, and power comes from farming and war.

Therefore, farming is "the key to governing the country". We should do everything possible to reward farming, lure it for profit, and lead the people to the track of farming. Adopt the policy of attaching importance to agriculture and restraining business, reduce agricultural taxes, and reward those who work hard with heavy honors; By adopting the policy of ignorance, farmers have to plough, plough hard to benefit, and plough hard with rewards.

For military warfare, he advocated the method of rewarding the thick and punishing the heavy, which forced the people to fight bravely. Under the four questions, there must be a brave man; Under severe punishment, you become timid and brave, and all roads lead to the same goal. He also put forward the idea that the whole country should be a soldier and strengthen the propaganda of war, so as to create a situation in which everyone enjoys the war and is scrambling for it. Legalists have realized the mutual promotion of farming and war. Agriculture prepares for war, and war promotes agricultural development.

(4) Strengthening the monarchical power

Legalists believe that "the power system is broken by the monarch, and the legislative power is in the hands of the monarch, and the lieutenants are not allowed to exercise it, thus establishing a feudal political system and legal system of extreme despotism of the monarch".