Japanese term (edited): �𖯂̏�ɉՂ����{����

It comes from Yukichi Fukuzawa's essay. The following is the translation available on the web. But is there really such a Western proverb?

A proverb of the West says, "Over foolish people, there is a harsh government. The Japanese victory was the result of the perfect cooperation between the government and the public. He suggests that the people need to be enlightened of what constitutes a highly civilized nation.

Japanese term (edited): �𖯂̏�ɉՂ����{����

This was said by Napoleon. Not really a proverb, but maybe?

Japanese term (edited): �𖯂̏�ɉՂ����{����

http://www.japanology.cn/essay/zazuan/01fukuzawa_gakumon.htm
斯る愚民を支配するには迚(とて)も道理を以て諭すべき方便なければ、唯威を以て畏すのみ。西洋の諺に愚民の上に苛(から)き政府ありとはこの事なり。

http://home.comcast.net/‾m-kollar/Thoughts/others/08.htm
To rule such foolish men, reason will not do ; the only way will be to keep them in order by the show of force. A proverb of the West says, "Over foolish people, there is a harsh government."

Japanese term (edited): �𖯂̏�ɉՂ����{����

「愚民の上に苛き政府あり」という言葉を用いたのは、愚民を支配するには道理をもって諭すのは困難で、ただ威をもって畏（おど）す以外に手はなく、人民の徳義が低い場合は政府の法が苛く（過酷に）ならざるを得ない、という意味においてであった。

The explanation suggests the meaning of the phrase is that foolish people cannot be led by truth, but must be ruled harshly, though it is not necessarily the case that they always are.