 What the world calls a “worthy” is one who is defined as upright; but those who define him as good and upright are his clique (dang 黨). When you hear his words, you consider him able; when you ask his partisans, they approve it. Hence, one is ennobled before one has any merits; one is punished before one has committed a crime. (Shang jun shu 25: 136–137; Book of Lord Shang 25.1)