Dàguān bùyào qián, bùrú zǎo guītián; xiǎo guān bù suǒ qián, érnǚ wú yīnyuán.

大官不要錢, 不如早歸田; 小官不索錢, 兒女無姻緣。

Lit A high official [who does] not take bribes had better retire; a petty official [who does] not extort money [will] not [be able to get his] sons and daughters married.

Fig Corrupt officials get rich while honest officials suffer from poverty.

Note [Rhyme; note: guītián, (lit) “go back to (one's) fields,” means “to retire from public life.”]

Topics BRIBERY CORRUPTION guītián OFFICIALS rhyme