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上下平则国强

上下平則國強
shàngxiàpíngzéguóqiáng
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 when high and low are balanced, the state is strong
  2. 2 (fig.) a society is strong when rulers and ruled share burdens fairly
  3. 3 (lit.) above-below level, then state strong

Examples

古人云上下平则国强，贫富差距过大是社会不稳定的根源。
Gǔrén yún shàngxià píng zé guó qiáng, pínfù chājù guò dà shì shèhuì bù wěndìng de gēnyuán.
The ancients said 'when high and low are level, the state is strong' — excessive wealth gaps root social instability.
治理企业也一样：上下平则国强，公司亦然。
Zhìlǐ qǐyè yě yíyàng: shàngxià píng zé guó qiáng, gōngsī yì rán.
Running a company is the same: 'when high and low are level, the state is strong' — so too with a firm.

Tips

history
From 《史记·廉颇蔺相如列传》(Sima Qian, Shiji, ca. 94 BCE), spoken by general 赵奢 (Zhao She) of Zhao. Full passage: 奉公如法则上下平，上下平则国强，国强则赵固 (If officials serve the public by the law, then high and low are balanced; when high and low are balanced, the state is strong; when the state is strong, Zhao is secure). Zhao She's reply to 平原君 (Lord Pingyuan) when asked why he had executed nine of the lord's servants for tax evasion — a Warring States manifesto on equal law.
usage
Forms a three-link chain with 奉公如法 (serve the public by law) and 国强则赵固 (strong state → secure Zhao). The middle link is most quoted in modern political writing on fairness and rule of law.

Stroke Order

上 shàng
下 xià
平 píng
则 zé
国 guó
强 qiáng