《韩非子·有度》
朝廷里没有人，不是朝廷中的臣子少了；私家致力于互谋私利，不致力于富强国家；大臣们致力于相互推崇，不致力于尊崇君主；小臣们拿国家的俸禄去培养私交，不把官员职责当回事。
故臣曰：亡国之廷无人焉。廷无人者，非朝廷之衰也；家务相益，不务厚国；大臣务相尊，而不务尊君；小臣奉禄养交，不以官为事。
There are no people in the court, not because there are few officials in the court; private individuals concentrate on plotting for their own benefit, not on enriching the state; ministers concentrate on recommending each other, not on honoring the monarch; minor officials use national salaries to cultivate private connections, not to take official duties seriously.