xíng–míng 刑名/形名

 ‘forms and names’ or ‘performance and titles’, a Legalist doctrine associated especially with Hán Fēi. Officials are evaluated by comparing their stated responsibilities and promises (míng名) with their actual performance (xíng 刑/形). Successful government therefore depends upon accurate correspondence between words and deeds. Although developed for administrative purposes, xíng–míng belongs to the broader Warring States concern with the relationship between names and realities that also informed discussions among the Mohists and the míngjiā.