只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯

Traditional form:

只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈

Pinyin (reading):

zhǐxǔzhōuguānfànghuǒ,bùxǔbǎixìngdiǎndēng

Definitions:

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

Characters:

• 只 - only, merely, just
• 许 - to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
• 州 - state, province, prefecture
• 官 - official, public servant
• 放 - to release, to liberate, to free
• 火 - fire, flame; to burn; anger, rage
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 许 - to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
• 百 - one hundred; numerous, many
• 姓 - name, family name, surname; clan, people
• 点 - dot, point, speck
• 灯 - lamp, lantern, light

Traditional characters:

• 只 - only, merely, just
• 許 - to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
• 州 - state, province, prefecture
• 官 - official, public servant
• 放 - to release, to liberate, to free
• 火 - fire, flame; to burn; anger, rage
• 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
• 許 - to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
• 百 - one hundred; numerous, many
• 姓 - name, family name, surname; clan, people
• 點 - dot, point, speck
• 燈 - lamp, lantern, light