法律面前人人平等，法律对权贵也绝不徇情偏袒。古代法家主张，治理国家应该不分贵贱亲疏，一切依据法律规定而予以奖惩，其主旨强调执法公正。这一主张为历代推崇，是“依法治国”思想的重要来源之一。

　　The Law Does Not Favor

　　the Rich and Powerful

　　The law treats everybody equally, not favoring the rich and powerful. The Legalists in ancient China argued that there should be no distinction between noble and poor or close and distant people; punishment or reward should be meted out strictly in accordance with the law. They believed in fairness in enforcing the law and treating everyone as equal before the law. This belief has been championed through the ages and is a major source of the notion of rule of law.

　　引例

　　法不阿贵，绳不挠曲。法之所加，智者弗能辞，勇者弗敢争。刑过不避大臣，赏善不遗匹夫。（《韩非子·有度》）（法律不偏袒权贵，正如墨线不随弯就曲。面对法律应有的制裁，再聪明的言辞也不能推脱，再勇猛的抗争也无济于事。惩罚罪过不豁免王公贵族，奖励善行不遗漏平民百姓。）

　　The law does not favor the rich and powerful, as the marking-line does not bend. What the law imposes, the wise cannot evade, nor can the brave defy. Punishment for wrongdoing does not spare senior officials, as rewards for good conduct do not bypass the common man. (Hanfeizi)