The law alone is not enough to handle the government affairs of the country, and laws alone cannot make them effective on their own. It comes from "Mencius Li Lou Shang" written by Mencius in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Original text of the excerpt:

Mencius said: The wisdom of Li Lou and the cleverness of Gongshuzi cannot form a circle without rules; the wisdom of Shi Kuang cannot correct the five tones without following the six rhythms; The way of Yao and Shun could not govern the world peacefully without benevolent government. Today there are benevolent people with benevolent hearts and benevolent people, but the people are not benefited by them and cannot be punished by future generations. This is because they cannot practice the way of the previous kings. Therefore, it is said: Being kind is not enough for government. You can't follow the law on your own.

But if you don't follow the six laws, you can't correct the five tones; even if you have the way of Yao and Shun, you can't make the world peaceful if you don't implement benevolent government.

Although some monarchs today have benevolent hearts and reputations, the common people cannot. But he cannot receive their favor, nor can he be imitated by future generations, because he does not practice the ways of the former kings. Therefore, it is said that good intentions alone are not enough to govern the country well, and laws alone cannot be implemented on their own.

Extended information:

1. Notes on words and sentences

① Li Lou: According to legend, he was a man with extremely strong eyesight during the reign of Emperor Huang. Gongshuzi: Mingban (also known as "Pan"), Lu. The Chinese, also known as Lu Ban, was a famous craftsman in the late Spring and Autumn Period.

② Rules: Rules and compasses are tools for drawing circles.

< p>③Shi Kuang: A famous musician during the Spring and Autumn Period of Jin Ping Gong (reigned from 557 BC to 532 BC). He was born blind and was good at discerning music.

④Six Rhythms: Our country uses rhythm and pipes to determine the music. There are a complete set of twelve standard pitches. The six odd-numbered tubes are called "Yang Lv", or "Lü" for short; the even-numbered six tubes are called "Yin Lu", or "Lv" for short. The "six rhythms" here are generally called the five tones: in ancient times, Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng, and Yu were the scales. 5. Wen (wèn): reputation.

⑥毆(qiān): Error. Forget: Omission.

⑦ Rate: Follow.

⑧ Criterion: The standard is an instrument to measure the level, and the rope is a tool to standardize the straight line. .

⑨揆(kuí): standard, criterion.

⑩End: firm.

2. Meaning

Meaning. Governing the country must combine good governance with the implementation of laws, which reflects the limitations of the law. This means that in addition to regulations, the law must truly play its legal role and cannot be separated from the quality of the subject, the legal system, and people's legal awareness.

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