This essay provides an overview of the prescriptions advanced by the Han-era Documents classic, since it was indisputably the Documents that served as the chief guide to political philosophy in the early empires for members of the elite with the requisite high cultural learning. It presents the authoritative pronouncements of the Documents on a number of key issues, such as, Who has the legitimacy to rule? How shall the good ruler and his officials act to retain legitimacy? What is the best form of government? How are punishments to be applied? How are taxes and tribute, domestic and foreign policy, to be administered? It prescribes actions to further the virtues of foresightedness, compassion, and fairness.

本文概述了汉代文献经典所提出的处方，因为无可争议的是，汉代文献是早期帝国政治哲学的主要指南，为具有必要的高文化学习的精英成员提供了指导。它就一些关键问题提出了文件的权威性声明，例如，谁有统治的合法性？好统治者和他的官员应该如何保持合法性？最好的政府形式是什么？如何实施处罚？如何管理税收和贡品、国内和外交政策？它规定了促进远见、同情和公平美德的行动。