李斯 (Lǐ Sī) · Li Si, Legalist philosopher and prime minister…

Meanings

1 Li Si, Legalist philosopher and prime minister of the Qin dynasty

About Li Si

c. 280–208 BC · 政治家 politician

Chancellor of Qin who helped 秦始皇 unify China, made small seal script (小篆) the standard and proposed the burning of books in 213 BC. After the emperor died, 赵高 had him put to death.

Characters

李

lǐ

plum; a common Chinese surname

斯

sī

this; thus (classical); also used in transliterations

Examples

HSK 5

李斯是秦朝著名的政治家和思想家。

Lǐ Sī shì Qíncháo zhùmíng de zhèngzhìjiā hé sīxiǎngjiā.

Li Si was a famous statesman and thinker of the Qin dynasty.

HSK 5

李斯帮助秦始皇统一了文字。

Lǐ Sī bāngzhù Qín Shǐhuáng tǒngyī le wénzì.

Li Si helped Qin Shi Huang standardize the writing system.

Tips

culture

His memorial 《谏逐客书》 talked the king of Qin out of expelling foreign-born officials. Its line 泰山不让土壤，故能成其大, 'Mount Tai refuses no clod of earth, and so it grows great', is still quoted for welcoming talent.