Zhao An Xin – Thick Black Theory

http://thickblacktheory.net/tbt/Thick Black Theory is a philosophical treatise written by Li Zongwu (1879-1944)[1] a disgruntled politician and scholar, born at the end of Qing dynasty. It was published in China in 1911. 1911 was a year of chaos in China, when Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Ching dynasty and set up the Chinese Republic. It may be regarded as the Chinese equivalent of Machiavelli’s The Prince.Li was a scientist of political intrigue. He wrote: “When you conceal your will from others, that is Thick. When you impose your will on others, that is Black (Dark).” Thick Black Theory describes the ruthless, hypocritical means men use to obtain and hold power: “thick faces” (shamelessness), “black heart” (cruelty),according to author’s view of history. It went through several printings before being banned in China as subversive.Li argued that “A great hero is no more than a person who is impudent and wicked.” According to Li, the wickedest of all was Cao Cao. “I would rather betray someone than be betrayed.” It shows how black Cao Cao’ s heart was inside. Li picked Liu Bei (king of one rival kingdom competing with Cao’s) as the highly-skilled person with a “thick face”. He never thought it shameful to live inside another’s fence. He was also a frequent crier, appealing to others’ sympathy. There is even a humorous saying, “Liu Bei’s JiangShan (kingdom) was obtained through his crying.”[2]