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

DEFINITIONS

  1. only the official is allowed to light the fire
  2. Gods may do what cattle may not
  3. quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi

CHARACTERS

只 zhǐ
HSK 3
only, just, simply
许 xǔ
HSK 4
allow, permit; promise; betroth
州 zhōu
HSK 6
administrative division, state
官 guān
HSK 5
official, public servant
放 fàng
HSK 3
put, release, free, liberate
火 huǒ
HSK 2
fire, flame; burn; anger, rage
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
许 xǔ
HSK 4
allow, permit; promise; betroth
百 bǎi
HSK 2
one hundred; numerous, many
姓 xìng
HSK 2
one's family name; clan, people
点 diǎn
HSK 1
dot, speck, spot; point, degree
灯 dēng
HSK 3
lantern, lamp