Sǐ zhīfǔ bùrú yī gè huó lǎoshǔ.

死知府不如一個活老鼠。

Lit A dead district magistrate is not as good as a live rat.

Fig Officials out of power are completely worthless.

Note [Cf. Rúlín Wàishǐ, chap. 18; note: from the Tang to the Qing dynasties a fǔ (“prefecture”) was below the shěng (“province”) level and above the xiàn (“county”) level; see also bále máo de above.]

Topics COUNTY fù LOSS OFFICIALS POWER province RESPECT shěng xiàn