无功不受禄 （wú gong bú shòu lù）

无功不受禄 （wú gong bú shòu lù； no contribution does not receive reward）

Once, Confucius visited Emperor Qi. The emperor wanted to bestow on Confucius a piece of land, but Confucius declined. When his students asked him why he explained, “ I heard that a gentleman receives rewards only if he has made a contribution. Today, I paid a visit to Emperor Qi to present my ideas. Emperor Qi did not accept my ideas, but granted me a piece of land. He realy does not understand me.” Later, Confucius left the Qi State.

Now, we use无功不受禄 to refer a noble person who is honest and clean in performing his official duties.