为国也，观俗立法则治，察国事本则宜。不观时俗，不察国本，则其法立而民乱，事剧而功寡。——商君书
In governing a country, a wise ruler establishes laws through observing popular customs, thus bringing order. He understands the fundamentals of the land he rules, thus implementing appropriate policies. Where the customs of the times are ignored and the fundamentals of the land neglected, the people will descend into disorder even when laws are made. And he may be kept busy but will achieve little. —— The Book of Lord Shang
