When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded.
 Confucius, Analects. copy citation

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Author Confucius
Source Analects
Topic punishment music
Date
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by James Legge
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3330/pg3330-images.html

Context

“the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. 6. 'When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music will not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. 7. 'Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately.” source