Yu the Great, a tribal leader of the Xia clan in ancient China, was commanded by Emperor Shun to tame the floods for thirteen years. During this monumental task, he led the people to dredge rivers, dig canals, and boost farming—passing his own home three times without ever stepping inside. His selfless dedication earned him the deep love of the people.
After witnessing Yu's success in controlling the floods, Shun selected him as his successor. Upon Shun's death, Yu became the leader of the tribal alliance.
Once, Emperor Yu the Great was traveling in his chariot when he spotted a criminal being escorted by several guards. Stopping the carriage, Yu asked, "What is happening here?" One guard replied, "He stole rice from another's field, so we are taking him to the authorities for punishment." Descending from his chariot, Yu approached the thief and asked, "Why did you steal another's rice?"
The thief, terrified that Yu the Great would punish him severely, dared not even lift his head and remained silent with his eyes fixed on the ground. When Yu saw this, he did not grow angry; instead, he admonished the thief while shedding tears. An official accompanying Yu on his inspection tour, puzzled by this, asked, "This man stole and deserves punishment. Why, Great King, do you weep for him?"
Yu the Great replied, "I weep not for this thief, but for myself. In the past, when Yao and Shun were leaders, the people shared their hearts and virtues. Now that I am leader, the people do not share my heart and virtue, committing such selfish acts that harm others. This is why I am deeply grieved!"
Upon hearing Yu the Great say this, the thief was deeply moved and burst into loud sobs. Then Yu ordered an attendant to fetch a tortoise shell, inscribed it with "If the people commit crimes, the fault lies with me alone," and commanded that the thief be released.
Later, the idiom "Alighting from the Carriage to Weep for the Convict" came to signify benevolent governance, where a ruler, moved by his own responsibility for moral instruction, pities the criminal.
Source: *Garden of Stories*
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "下车泣罪" came to describe benevolent governance, where a ruler, moved by his own responsibility for moral instruction, pities the criminal.