 These and many similar sayings explain Shang Yang’s image as a “people-basher.” No other thinker was as explicit as he in pointing at the persistent contradiction between society (“the people”) and the state. The people’s intrinsic selfishness constantly endangers social order; and to safeguard this order, the ruler should resolutely rein in his subjects through the law (fa 法 in this context refers primarily to punitive laws). The state should tightly control its subjects: the system of mandatory registration of the population and creation of mutual responsibility groups among the populace will ensure that every crime is denounced and the criminal—particularly those who abscond from the battlefield—will know that “there is no place to flee from the army ranks, and migrants can find no refuge.” (Shang jun shu 18: 108;Shang jun shu 18.3). Moreover, to overawe the people, the text advocates inflicting heavy punishments for even petty offenses, as only then will the people be sufficiently scared as to behave properly. Eventually, harsh punishments will eliminate the very need for punishments: