量出為入

From volume 234, Zizhi Tongjian:

是以聖王立程，量入為出，雖遇災難，下無困窮。理化既衰，則乃反是，量出為入，不恤所無。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
是以圣王立程，量入为出，虽遇灾难，下无困穷。理化既衰，则乃反是，量出为入，不恤所无。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

From: 1084 CE, Sima Guang, Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government

Shìyǐ shèngwáng lì chéng, liàngrùwèichū, suī yù zāinán, xià wú kùnqióng. Lǐ huà jì shuāi, zé nǎi fǎnshì, liàngchūwèirù, bù xù suǒ wú.

A wise ruler, therefore, measures the expenditures according to his revenues. Although he may encounter disasters, the lower level can still avoid poverty. When the manners weaken, on the other hand, it will be upside down: He measures the revenues according to his expenditures, and has no sympathy for those who have nothing. (Wiktionary translation)

量出為入

1. to measure one's revenues according to one's expenditures
   • 2020, 李述德 (Lee Sush-der), 《國政芻言》政府財政應量出為入, 台灣醒報 (Awakening News Networks):

     政府施政為民服務，一般應該先決定政務優先順序，再據以籌措適量財源，以資因應，此乃政府財政「量出為入」的原則，實不宜以政府有錢或沒錢來決定應否執行政務。 [MSC, trad.]
     政府施政为民服务，一般应该先决定政务优先顺序，再据以筹措适量财源，以资因应，此乃政府财政「量出为入」的原则，实不宜以政府有钱或没钱来决定应否执行政务。 [MSC, simp.]

     Zhèngfǔ shīzhèng wèi mín fúwù, yībān yìnggāi xiān juédìng zhèngwù yōuxiān shùnxù, zài jù yǐ chóucuò shìliàng cáiyuán, yǐ zī yīnyìng, cǐ nǎi zhèngfǔ cáizhèng “liàngchūwèirù” de yuánzé, shí bùyí yǐ zhèngfǔ yǒuqián huò méiqián lái juédìng yìngfǒu zhíxíng zhèngwù.

     Generally, when it comes to serving the people, the government should decide the priority of government affairs first, then raise the appropriate revenue to get by. This is the principle of measuring revenues within the expenditure. The government should not decide affairs by the revenue of the treasury.

   • 2013, 譚介輝, 淺談量入為出與量出為入, 人民日報理論版 (People's Daily: theory page):

     量出為入，強調應收才收、收支匹配，意味著支出決定於職能的實現，預算收入為支出提供保証，但不能據此片面地認為支出決定收入，為好大喜功、脫離實際找借口。 [MSC, trad.]
     量出为入，强调应收才收、收支匹配，意味着支出决定于职能的实现，预算收入为支出提供保証，但不能据此片面地认为支出决定收入，为好大喜功、脱离实际找借口。 [MSC, simp.]

     Liàngchūwèirù, qiángdiào yìng shōu cái shōu, shōuzhī pǐpèi, yìwèi zhù zhīchū juédìng yú zhínéng de shíxiàn, yùsuàn shōurù wèi zhīchū tígōng bǎozhèng, dàn bùnéng jù cǐ piànmiàn dì rènwèi zhīchū juédìng shōurù, wèi hǎodàxǐgōng, tuōlí shíjì zhǎo jièkǒu.

     To measure government's revenues according to its expenditures emphasise collecting taxes only when necessary and balancing the budget. The principle implies that the expenditure should be based on a function's implementation, and the revenue guarantees the expenditure. The principle cannot be unilaterally interpreted as the expenditure decides the revenue, making excuses of craving greatness or being out of touch.

• 量入為出

• 量出制入