Not Practicing Favoritism
 
Su Zhang, courtesy name Ruwen, lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), and was from Fufengpingling (what is now northwest of Chengyang City, Shaanxi Province). He had great knowledge and ability since childhood, and was commended for his virtue and fairness. He was the magistrate of Wuyaun County, but when the Emperor Shun took power, Su Zhang was promoted to provincial governor of Ji Prefecture.
 
One of Su Zhang's friends held the post of procurator of Qinghe County. When Su Zhang was on a supervisory inspection tour as a superior, he discovered crimes that his friend had committed. Su Zhang invited this procurator to dinner, and talked a lot about their friendship. The procurator said happily about their friendship, "Other people have one layer of sky, while I have two layers." He flattered Su Zhang this way and was joyful since he mistakenly believed that Su Zhang would protect and look after him, despite his crimes.
 
Su Zhang told him, “It is as a friend that I drink with you tonight, and it will be official business, as the provincial governor, when I handle cases according to law tomorrow.”
 
When handling cases the next day, Su Zhang brought the procurator to justice impartially, according to the law. All people within the prefecture saw that Su Zhang did not practice favoritism. Morale in society greatly improved as a result.
 
If a person has selfish motives, he will do mean and unrighteous things for wealth and sentimentality. Therefore, it is highly valued for government officials to have a clear distinction between work and private affairs, and to always be fair and impartial. Su Zhang's moral integrity and his not practicing favoritism were admired by others, and he was remembered because of it.
 
不徇私情
 
苏章，字孺文，东汉扶风平陵(今陕西成阳西北)人，自幼博学多才，以贤良方正为人称道，曾任武原县令，汉顺帝时被升任为冀州刺史。
 
苏章的一个朋友任清河太守，苏章作为上级巡视时，发现了这个朋友所犯的罪行。苏章宴请了这个太守，并在席间畅述旧情，太守高兴的说：“别人都有一重天，而我有两重天。”意思是恭维苏章，误以为能得到苏章的荫护和照顾而欣喜。
 
苏章对他说：“今晚我与故人饮酒是私情，明天冀州刺史依法办案那是公事。”
 
在第二天办案时，苏章依法公正的法办了罪行累累的太守，州境百姓都知道了苏章不徇私情，民风一时为之大振。
 
人的私心重了，便会为了不义之财、不义之情去干缺德之事，所以为政为官之人贵在公私分明，正大光明。苏章公正不徇私情的节操令人钦佩，名载史册。