Tang Taizong's famous sayings:

1. Slanderous and sycophantic people are also the candid thieves of the country.

Source: "Emperor Fan: Eliminate Slander Sixth".

Translation: If there are traitors and sycophants in the court, it will be like a worm that specially eats the roots of the seedlings, and it will be a serious problem for the country.

2. When you encounter a thousand worries and one mistake, you will definitely make mistakes and hide nothing.

Source: "Remonstrance Record of Duke Zheng of Wei·Volume 3·When Will the Western Fan Tong Come?"

Translation: When I encounter a misunderstanding, I hope someone will speak up and not hide it.

3. Those who harm their bodies are not caused by external objects, but are caused by desires.

Source: "Remonstrance Record of Duke Zheng of Wei·Volume 3·The Way of Being a King Preserves the People First".

Translation: Damage to one's body is not caused by external objects, but by excessive pursuit of desires, which leads to disaster.

4. Now I am trying to manage the people with you, but if it is not possible, I will tell you.

Source: "Remonstrance Record of Duke Zheng of Wei·Volume 3·When Will the Western Fan Tong Come?"

Translation: I am now governing the people of the world with you, ***. There must be something that is not feasible, so just tell me.

5. The supporter of the country must be loyal and good. Let people be entrusted, and the world will be self-governing.

Source: "Emperor Fan·The Third Pursuit of Talent".

Translation: To assist the emperor in the world, he must have loyal ministers and good generals. If talents are employed in a correct manner, the world will naturally be at peace.

6. The only way to be a ruler is to be generous. Not only punishment, but also whipping is not an option.

Source: "Remonstrances of Duke Zheng of Wei·Volume 3·Being generous to others and rulers".

Translation: The principle of being a monarch is only to be tolerant and kind to others. Not only does it mean execution and killing, but it also involves whipping.

7. It is extremely difficult to be a king. If the law is urgent, good people may be abused; if the law is lenient, evildoers will not be punished.

Source: "Wei Zhenggong's Admonishment Record Volume 4: Leniency and Fierceness in Criminal Law".

Translation: It is difficult for a monarch to do things. If the law is too harsh, it may hurt good people. If the law is loose, it will not be able to eradicate the evildoers.

8. If a person wants to see himself, he must have a clear mirror; if a master wants to know his faults, he must rely on loyal ministers.

Source: "Zhenguan Zheng Yao·Seeking Advice".

Translation: If people want to see themselves, they must have a clear mirror. If the leader of a country wants to know his own faults, he must turn to his loyal ministers.

9. As a king, you should be frugal to nourish your nature, and be quiet to cultivate your character. Being frugal means that people don’t work hard, and being quiet means that people don’t bother themselves. When people work hard, resentment arises, and when people are disturbed, the government behaves well.

Source: "Emperor Fan·Jieying Seventh".

Translation: As a king, you should cultivate your character through frugality and simplicity, and you should cultivate your character through indifference and tranquility. Frugality can keep people from getting tired, and indifference and tranquility can keep people from chaos. When people are tired and tired, they will become resentful, and when people are restless, the country's politics will be disharmonious.

10. If a righteous minister serves an evil lord, he will not be able to achieve justice; if a righteous minister serves an evil lord, he will not be able to achieve justice. As long as the emperor and his ministers meet and have the same fish and water, then there will be peace in the sea.

Source: "Zhenguan Zheng Yao·Seeking Advice".

Translation: If an upright monarch appoints treacherous ministers, it is impossible to govern the country well. It is impossible for loyal ministers to serve a fatuous monarch and govern the country well. As long as an upright monarch and loyal ministers get along with each other like a fish in water, then the world will be safe and sound.