When the Water Is Too Clean
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One day Emperor Taizong of the Song dynasty received a confidential report that some officials in the government-owned shipping agency were involved in smuggling.
He discussed the matter with his prime minister Lu Mengzheng.
“There are always people who do that sort of thing,” he said. “It’s impossible to stop them just as it’s impossible to fill up the holes in the walls that rats live in. I don’t intend to pursue the case. As long as the cargo reaches its destination safe and sound, I would leave them alone if they use their position to do a little smuggling on the side. Only the most serious offenders must be punished. What do you think?”
Lu Mengzheng agreed. “If the water is too clean, there will be no fish. If the ruler is too sharp, he’ll have few people willing to work for him. Since we know what they are doing, we can afford to tolerate such people to some extent so that they won’t make trouble elsewhere. If we try to get everything right, things may not go as smoothly.”
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The Gift Box
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Human Head for a Loan
Wise Proverbs
- Crystal clear water feeds no fish; overly critical men keep no friends.
- 水至清则无鱼，人至察则无徒。
- Not everything goes as smoothly.
- 不是每件事都能一番风顺。
- You cannot eat your cake and have it.
- 鱼与熊掌，不可得兼。
Editor Says:
Implicit in their tolerance of wrong-doing is the cost-benefit trade-off of law enforcement. The idea of justice is lofty, but the benefit of enforcing the law must be weighed against the cost of doing so when resources are limited.