「忠」在中國傳統倫理道德裡佔有極重要的地位，這個觀念不僅有其悠遠的歷史淵源，而且影響深刻，普遍深植在社會每個階層人們的心中，成為最堅實的道德信仰規範。經過長期的演變，忠由剛萌芽時「專一」、「真誠」的修養境界，逐漸演化為封建道德體系中，以下事上的一種原則。而在這種轉化過程中，戰國後其最傑出的政論家之一的韓非，實扮演著極為重要的角色。他觀察當時的政治情勢，總結前期有關忠的總總概念，又以鞏固領導中心，謀求國家富強為為考量。將「利」與「法」的概念與「忠」相結合，使得人性趨利的本質與以法為準繩的要求納入「忠」的營構。如此，「忠」的內涵便由內發的道德修養，轉變為外在的政治規範；其範疇也由寬廣、平淡，走向狹窄、深刻，具有不同於前期的精神面貌。因此，在這個歷史的關鍵處，韓非具有承先啟後的獨特意義。

“Loyalty” occupies a very important position in traditional Chinese ethics and morality. This concept not only has a long history, but also has a profound influence in the hearts of people in every strata, becoming the most solid norm for virtue and belief. After long-term evolution, loyalty was a cultivated state of being “focused” and “sincere” at its beginning, but gradually became a principle in which the lowly served the noble in a feudal ethical system. In this transformation process, one of the most outstanding political theorists in the latter Warring States period, Han Fei, played a very important role. He observed the contemporary political situation, summarized various concepts on loyalty in the previous period, and used consolidation of the leadership core and pursuit of state wealth and power as his considerations. He combined the concepts of “profit” and “law” to “loyalty,” so that the pursuit of profit in human nature and the requirements based on law are incorporated into the construction of “loyalty.” In this way, the content of “loyalty” changes from an intrinsic ethical cultivation to an extrinsic political norm. At the same time, its broad and light scope becomes narrow and profound, with a new spiritual focus. Thus, in this crucial point in history, Han Fei has a unique meaning as a transitional figure between past and future.