siwei

It has been said: "A sense of rites, righteousness, integrity, and shame constitute the 'four covenants' of the country. If these four covenants do not thrive, then the country will perish." Excellent indeed is the gift of Guan Sheng [Guan Zhong] for words! Rites and righteousness are the premier methods for ruling others; integrity and shame are the premier maxims for anchoring the self. Without integrity, everything is acceptable. Without shame, anything is done. When ordinary men are so disposed, anything can occur, including disasters and riots. But when high officials willfully accept or do anything, the coming of chaos to the world and peril to the empire is a virtual certainty!

From Ouyang Xiu's preface to the biography of Feng Dao (882-954) in The Historical Records of the Five Dynasties, quoted in "Chaste & Filial Women in Chinese Historical Writings of the 11th Century" by Richard Davis (Journal for the American Oriental Society, April/June 2001).