Senses
只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯/ 只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈 one rule for the rich and another for the poor
Describes a situation where those in power are allowed to do whatever they want, while ordinary people are forbidden from even the most basic activities; often implies double standards or hypocrisy by superiors toward their subordinates.
只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯/ 只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈 double standard
the magistrates are allowed to burn down houses while the common people are forbidden even to light lamps; a proverb describing how those in power exercise tyrannical double standards or deny others their basic rights while indulging in excess themselves