From: Sima Zhe's "Guan Zhen".
Original text: Officials do not fear my strictness, but fear my integrity; the people do not obey my ability, but obey my Duke; if I am public, the people will not dare to be arrogant, and if I am honest, the officials will not dare to bully. Gong begets enlightenment, integrity begets authority.
Interpretation: Officials are not afraid of my strictness, but afraid of my integrity; the people do not obey my ability, but obey my justice; the public does not dare to neglect, and the honest officials do not dare to cheat. Justice produces strictness, and integrity produces prestige.
Extended information
The origin of Guan Zhen.
The oldest official motto in China that has written records and has been taught throughout the ages appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period around 1,000 BC. The most famous among them is "The Proverbs of Yu Ren". According to the records in the "Zuo Zhuan" in the fourth year of Duke Xiang, "The Proverbs of the Yu People" was highly praised by a man named Xin Jia and became famous in the world. Xin Jia's life experience is difficult to trace, but it is known that he was the historian of the Zhou Dynasty in the late Shang Dynasty.
King Zhou also made some achievements, such as pacifying Dongyi and spreading the culture of the Central Plains to the Huaihe River and Yangtze River basins. But since he fell in love with his concubine Daji, he has gradually drifted away on the road of sexual immorality and violence. Xin Jia repeatedly tried to persuade him, but he refused to listen.
According to the records of "Historical Records": "He has extraordinary talent, knows enough to refuse advice, and speaks enough to cover up his mistakes. He is proud of others and ministers because of his ability, and his voice is high in the world, thinking that everyone is inferior to him. He is good at wine. Lustful music is for women. I love Daji and follow Daji's words.
So I made the teacher Juan make new lascivious sounds, dance in Beili, and enjoy the extravagant music. The millet from the giant bridge will be harvested. Dogs and horses will be harvested, and the palace will be filled. Many wild animals and birds will be placed in it, and they will play in the sand dunes with wine as a pond. For the forest, men and women chase each other for a long night of drinking.
Baidu Encyclopedia——Guan Zhen