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Crime Quote by Sun Tzu

“What Hurts the People There are five things that hurt the people: There are local officials who use public office for personal benefit, taking improper advantage of their authority, holding weapons in one hand and people’s livelihood in the other, corrupting their offices, and bleeding the people…” quote by Sun Tzu
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““What Hurts the People There are five things that hurt the people: There are local officials who use public office for personal benefit, taking improper advantage of their authority, holding weapons in one hand and people’s livelihood in the other, corrupting their offices, and bleeding the people. There are cases where serious offenses are given light penalties; there is inequality before the law, and the innocent are subjected to punishment, even execution. Sometimes serious crimes are pardoned, the strong are supported, and the weak are oppressed. Harsh penalties are applied, unjustly torturing people to get at facts. Sometimes there are officials who condone crime and vice, punishing those who protest against this, cutting off the avenues of appeal and hiding the truth, plundering and ruining lives, unjust and arbitrary. Sometimes there are senior officials who repeatedly change department heads so as to monopolize the government administration, favoring their friends and relatives while treating those they dislike with unjust harshness, oppressive in their actions, prejudiced and unruly. They also use taxation to reap profit, enriching themselves and their families by exactions and fraud. Sometimes local officials extensively tailor awards and fines, welfare projects, and general expenditures, arbitrarily determining prices and measures, with the result that people lose their jobs. These five things are harmful to the people, and anyone who does any of these should be dismissed from office.””

Sun Tzu

About This Quote

Source Treat: The Art of War, Sun Tzu, 5th century BC

Corruption, abuse of power, and unjust laws harm societies; accountability and fairness are essential.

In simple terms: Corruption hurts people.

Key Takeaway

Demand transparency and justice.

Themes

politics ethics justice

Mood

serious concerned

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • government reform
  • anti‑corruption campaigns
  • legal advocacy

Key Concepts

corruption abuse of power legal inequality authoritarianism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mechanisms can curb official abuse?
  • How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
A Different Perspective

Changing entrenched systems is difficult.

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