只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯
zhǐ​xǔ​zhōu​guān​fàng​huǒ​bù​xǔ​bǎi​xìng​diǎn​dēng

one rule for the rich and another for the poor

  1. 只许 只許 zhǐ​xǔ verb
    to only allow
    to only permit or allow
  2. 州官 zhōu​guān
    magistrate of a zhou
    (literary) highest local official in a 州 zhōu during the Song to Qing dynasties; also used broadly for those in positions of power
  3. 放火 fàng​huǒ
    to display lanterns
    (literary) To light and display decorative lanterns during a festival; famous for its use in the proverb 只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯 zhǐ​xǔ​zhōu​guān​fàng​huǒ​bù​xǔ​bǎi​xìng​diǎn​dēng
  4. ， bù
    non-Chinese
  5. 不许 不許 bù​xǔ auxiliaryverb
    to not allow
    not allowed; must not; can't
  6. 百姓 bǎi​xìng
    common people
    the general public; ordinary citizens as opposed to the military or government officials
  7. 点灯 點燈 diǎn​dēng
    to light a lamp
    to light a lamp or candle