《贞观政要·卷五·论公平》
本性、情感是根本；行为、风俗是枝节。因此圣明的君主治国，崇本抑末，顺应民心，从而矫正他们的行为。
情性者，心也，本也；化俗者，行也，末也。是以上君抚世，先其本而后其末，顺其心而履其行。
Nature and emotions are the roots; behaviors and customs are the branches. Thus the sage's monarch rules the country by honoring the roots and restraining the branches, following the people's wishes, and thereby correcting their behaviors.