Guanzi|(《管子》)

1. Overview
   • Guanzi is an ancient Chinese philosophical and political text, traditionally attributed to Guan Zhong (7th century BCE), a renowned statesman of the Qi state.
   • Compiled primarily during the Warring States period (5th–3rd centuries BCE), it represents a synthesis of Legalist, Daoist, Confucian, and Agriculturalist ideas.
2. Content Structure
   • The text comprises 86 chapters (with some lost), organized into sections covering:
     • Statecraft & Governance: Policies on administration, law, and taxation.
     • Economic Theories: Emphasis on resource management, trade, and stabilizing prices.
     • Military Strategy: Defense and diplomacy.
     • Philosophy: Blends Daoist naturalism with Legalist pragmatism.
3. Key Themes
   • “Enrich the State, Strengthen the Military”: Practical governance to ensure prosperity and power.
   • Balanced Economy: State control of resources (e.g., salt, iron) to prevent inequality.
   • Moral Leadership: Rulers should cultivate virtue (De) while enforcing laws.
4. Historical Influence
   • Served as a manual for rulers, later influencing Legalist thinkers like Han Fei&Fan li.
   • Notable for early economic theories (e.g., price stabilization).
5. Modern Significance
   • Studied for insights into pre-Qin political thought and classical Chinese economics.

Note: The text’s mixed authorship reflects contributions from multiple schools over centuries.

It is a classic that can be called a teacher by hundreds of scholars.