The yamen gate is wide open, yet with only right on your side but no money, do not go inside.

解释 ( paraphrase )
衙门的大门朝南开着，有理却没有钱的人别想进去告状。
这条谚语告诉我们：过去官府腐败，只贪图老百姓的钱财，而不为老百姓办事。

This proverb, dating from feudal times, warns the unwary not to seek justice from the corrupt and freedy officials of those days.

衙门：是旧时官员办公审案的地方。衙门的两扇大门开着像个“八”字。
         Government office in old feudal China. 八字 here refers to the shape of the open gate.

造句 ( example )
在那个腐败法官在职期间，哪怕你再有理，也一样是“八字衙门朝南开，有理无钱莫进来”。

Tags: Chinese Literature   Daily Figurative Slangs   Chinese Proverbs