张养浩论统治者的素养

帝王是世袭的，帝王的素养却是后天培养的。元代政治家张养浩曾当面向帝王指出，作为一国之主，应从五个主要方面加强修养：自强不息，不被声色外物所惑；己奉不计，而以天下黎民为重；善于用人，坚持赏罚公正原则；爱惜诤臣，接受一切逆耳忠言；警惕近侍，疏远善于逢迎的小人。这五大要求，对于任何时代任何大权在握的统治者，都有警示借鉴作用，值得认真总结研究

On Qualities of The Ruler by Zhang Yanghao

The monarchy in China was hereditary; the qualities of the monarch are nonetheless acquired through efforts. Zhang Yanghao, a statesman of the Yuan Dynasty, once exhorted the monarch that five rules of cultivating fine qualities should be observed in a monarch. Be enterprising, and on guard against overindulgence; place the interests of his subjects above his own; be adept in appointing the right person to the right position, and administer rigorous punishment and proper award; value the upright officials for their rigid but salutary admonition; be vigilant against the pages, and estrange himself from wily adulators. These five golden rules, applicable to all rulers or senior officials of any age,are worthy of study.