《贞观政要·卷五·论公平》
我顺从百姓的心意处罚他们，即使过重，百姓也不会认为残暴，这是因为我是出于公心的缘故。怨旷饥寒，也是百姓所痛恨的，为了摆脱这种境遇而触犯法律，我体谅他们而宽大处理，百姓也不会认为是偏私，这也是因为我是出于公心的缘故。
故《体论》云： 夫淫泆盗窃，百姓之所恶也，我从而刑罚之，虽过乎当，百姓不以我为暴者，公也。怨旷饥寒，亦百姓之所恶也，遁而陷之法，我从而宽宥之，百姓不以我为偏者，公也。
I punish them according to the wishes of the people. Even if it is too severe, the people will not think it is cruel, because I do it with a public heart. Resentment, depression, hunger, and cold are also hated by the people. In order to get rid of this situation and violate the law, I sympathize with them and treat them leniently. The people will not think it is偏私, because I do it with a public heart.