These quotes have survived over two thousand years because their truths are universal. Originally written for kings and ministers, they now speak to CEOs, managers and leaders of every kind.
这些名言流传两千余年，因其真理具有普世性。最初为君臣而作，如今对CEO、管理者和各类领导者同样适用。
法不阿贵，绳不挠曲。
"The law does not fawn upon the noble; the plumb-line does not bend to accommodate the crooked."
奉法者强，则国强；奉法者弱，则国弱。
"When those who uphold the law are strong, the state is strong; when they are weak, the state is weak."
治世不一道，便国不法古。
"Governing well does not mean following one method forever; benefiting the state does not require imitating the ancients."
不别亲疏，不殊贵贱，一断于法。
"No distinction between close and distant, no difference between noble and common — all are judged by the law alone."
以法治国，举措而已矣。
"To govern the state by law is simply a matter of proper implementation."
国无常强，无常弱。奉法者强则国强，奉法者弱则国弱。
"No state is permanently strong or permanently weak. Those who follow the law with discipline become strong."
法者，编著之图籍，设之于官府，而布之于百姓者也。
"Law is what is written in books, established in government offices, and announced to the common people."
明主之所导制其臣者，二柄而已矣。二柄者，刑德也。
"The wise ruler controls his ministers with two handles only: reward and punishment."
抱法处势则治，背法去势则乱。
"Hold the law and maintain authority, and order prevails; abandon the law and lose authority, and chaos follows."
故治民无常，唯法为治。
"There is no permanent way to govern the people — only law brings lasting order."
刑过不避大臣，赏善不遗匹夫。
"Punish wrongdoing without sparing high ministers; reward good deeds without overlooking commoners."
明主使法择人，不自举也；使法量功，不自度也。
"The wise ruler uses the law to select people, not personal preference; uses the law to measure merit, not personal judgment."
仓廪实则知礼节，衣食足则知荣辱。
"When granaries are full, people understand propriety; when food and clothing are sufficient, they know honor and shame."
政之所兴，在顺民心；政之所废，在逆民心。
"Government thrives when it follows the people's will; it fails when it goes against the people's heart."
礼义廉耻，国之四维；四维不张，国乃灭亡。
"Propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame — these are the four pillars of a state. If they are not upheld, the state will perish."
一年之计，莫如树谷；十年之计，莫如树木；终身之计，莫如树人。
"For one year's plan, plant grain. For ten years' plan, plant trees. For a lifetime's plan, cultivate people."
善为国者，必先富民，然后治之。
"He who is good at governing must first enrich the people, then govern them."
令则行，禁则止，宪之所及，俗之所被，如百体之从心，政之所期也。
"Orders are obeyed, prohibitions are respected — when authority reaches everywhere, the people follow as the body follows the heart. That is the goal of governance."
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