Russian variant of the same: "The severity of Russian laws is compensated by optionality of compliance with them." This, and the lack of independent judiciary branch, actually gives the government total power over the individuals and businesses. Laws (including tax laws) are written such that there's really no way to live and not break any of them, which is why the government always "has something on you" if it wishes to prosecute you or just take your money because you don't "share" it with government officials.