Even an enlightened emperor in feudal China knew better than to overtax his people . Emperor Tai-zong of the Tang Dynasty warned of the consequences of fleecing the population to satisfy the ruler's greed. 专权政治的时代，开明君主曾告诫不要“损百姓”，“若损百姓以奉其身，犹割胫以啖腹，腹饱而身毙”(见《贞观政要》)。
