Emperor Taizong Governed with Five Points in Mind
 
One day Emperor Taizong (598 – 649 AD), the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD), who ruled from 626 to 649 AD, was present in Cuiwei Palace. He asked the courtiers, "Since ancient times, although emperors could conquer the central plains of China, they could not control ethnic minorities like the Rong or the Di. My abilities are inferior compared to the emperors of ancient times, but my achievements are greater than theirs. I have not disclosed the reason. You are welcome to talk about it frankly."
 
The officials all said, "Your majesty's virtue is as great as heaven and earth, and it is hard to cover it in one sentence."
 
The Emperor responded, "That is not true. I accomplished these achievements by keeping in mind five points.
 
First, since ancient times, emperors usually were jealous of those whose abilities exceeded theirs, but I regard other people's merits as my own.
 
Second, no one's behavior is perfect, so I merely think highly of others’ merits and ignore their deficiencies.
 
Third, when other emperors saw capable individuals, they couldn’t wait to attract them and receive their services. They abandoned the incompetent as if trying to push them into the abyss. I respect the talented and have pity on the incompetent when I see them. This way, both types have a proper place in my heart.
 
Fourth, most emperors do not like people who are upright and speak frankly. They either do harm to them secretly or punish them publicly. No dynasty is an exception. But since I took power, upright officials can be found everywhere and nobody has been punished.
 
Fifth, since ancient times, emperors have thought highly of the central plains of China and despised the Rong and Di nationalities, but I have treated them impartially. Therefore, they depend upon me as they would depend upon their parents.
 
It is due to these five points that I have accomplished such huge achievements today."
 
From Zizhi Tongjian (literally "Comprehensive Mirror for/to Aid in Government," a pioneering reference work in Chinese history), volume 198, Tang Dynasty, chapter 14.
 
唐太宗「五事」治天下
 
有一次，唐太宗驾临翠微殿，问侍臣：「自古以来的帝王虽然能够平定中原，但不能让戎、狄这些民族臣服。朕的才能不及古代的帝王，而成就却比他们大，我自己不说其中原因，你们诸位请直率的说说。」
 
群臣都说：「陛下的功德如天地，难以一语言明。」
 
唐太宗说：「不是这样。朕之所以能达到这番成就，只是因为五点缘由。自古以来的帝王大多妒嫉能力胜过自己的人，朕见到他人的优点，就好像看见自己的优点一样；人的行为能力没有十全十美的，朕待人常常弃其短，取其长；君主们见到贤才往往恨不得要放在自己的怀中，摒弃无能之辈则恨不得将其推入深渊，朕见到贤才则尊敬他，见到无能者则怜悯他，这样贤才和无能者都各得其所；君主们大多不喜欢正直直言之人，对他们或者暗中加害或者公开惩罚，没有一个朝代不是这样，朕自即位以来，正直之士满朝比肩接踵，没有一人因此受到过责罚；自古以来帝王都以中原为贵，轻贱夷、狄族，但只有朕对他们都一视同仁，所以他们都像依靠父母那样依靠我。以上五点，这就是我今天能有如此成就的原因。」
 
（出自《资治通鉴》卷第一百九十八，【唐纪十四】）