只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈 [－许－－－－－－许－－点灯]

Jyutping zi2 heoi2 zau1 gun1 fong3 fo2 ， bat1 heoi2 baak3 sing3 dim2 dang1
Pinyin zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ ， bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng

Definitions (Wiktionary)
  1. phrase, figuratively, idiomatic
    The authorities can do what they like, but the common people are not allowed the slightest bit of freedom; quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi (Used in criticism of double standards of those with power)
    • 這種刻意的強加，赤裸裸，昭然若揭，簡直就是隻許州官放火，不許百姓點燈。
      这种刻意的强加，赤裸裸，昭然若揭，简直就是只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯。
      zhè zhǒng kè yì de qiáng jiā ， chì luǒ luǒ ， zhāo rán ruò jiē ， jiǎn zhí jiù shì zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ ， bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng ．
      This kind of impositions, which is intentional, blatant and excessively obvious, exactly means that a boss can do whatever he/she likes but his/her subordinates should have no rights at all.
    • 更有民眾貼出早前紐森進行多人室內聚會的照片，以諷刺紐森只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈的施政作派。
      更有民众贴出早前纽森进行多人室内聚会的照片，以讽刺纽森只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯的施政作派。
      gèng yǒu mín zhòng tiē chū zǎo qián niǔ sēn jìn xíng duō rén shì nèi jù huì de zhào piàn ， yǐ fěng cì niǔ sēn zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ ， bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng de shī zhèng zuò pài ．
      There was even someone who posted a photo in which Newsom previously attended an indoor party in order to satirize his administrative manner since he can do whatever he likes but the common people are not allowed the slightest bit of freedom.

只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈 [－许－－－－－－许－－点灯]

Jyutping zi2 heoi2 zau1 gun1 fong3 fo2 , bat1 heoi2 baak3 sing3 dim2 dang1
Pinyin zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ , bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng

Definitions (CC-CEDICT)
  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
Examples (Tatoeba—Mandarin-English)
  1. Mandarin
    只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯。
    只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈。
    zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ ， bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng 。
    • What is permitted to Jove is not permitted to an ox.
Examples (Wiktionary)
  1. Mandarin
    更有民众贴出早前纽森进行多人室内聚会的照片，以讽刺纽森只许州官放火，不许百姓点灯的施政作派。
    更有民眾貼出早前紐森進行多人室內聚會的照片，以諷刺紐森只許州官放火，不許百姓點燈的施政作派。
    gèng yǒu mín zhòng tiē chū zǎo qián niǔ sēn jìn xíng duō rén shì nèi jù huì de zhào piàn ， yǐ fěng cì niǔ sēn zhǐ xǔ zhōu guān fàng huǒ ， bù xǔ bǎi xìng diǎn dēng de shī zhèng zuò pài ．
    • There was even someone who posted a photo in which Newsom previously attended an indoor party in order to satirize his administrative manner since he can do whatever he likes but the common people are not allowed the slightest bit of freedom.