子曰：「大臣不可以不敬也，是民之表也。邇臣不可以不慎也，是民之道也。」
(卷七 禮記)
Confucius said, “A leader must respect his ministers because they are the representatives of the people. He must choose ministers close to him carefully because they are the role models for the people.”
Scroll 7:Li Ji
source: Chapter One 尊賢 Be Respectful of Wise and Able Ministers
The Governing Principles of Ancient China 群書治要360 (中英對照版)