刑當罪則威
When Punishments Match Crimes, Authority Prevails
故刑當罪則威，不當罪則侮；爵當賢則貴，不當賢則賤。古者刑不過罪，爵不踰德。
Therefore when punishments match crimes, there is authority; when they do not match, there is contempt. When ranks match worthiness, they are valued; when they do not match, they are despised. In antiquity, punishments did not exceed the crime, and ranks did not surpass virtue.