劳心者治人

勞心者治人
láo xīn zhě zhì rén
quotation

Meanings

  1. 1 those who labor with the mind rule others
  2. 2 (classical social theory) the hierarchy that places intellectual work above manual labor
  3. 3 (lit.) those who toil in mind govern people

Examples

Mèngzǐ shuō láoxīnzhězhìrén, láolì zhě zhì yú rén, fǎnyìng le gǔdài shèhuì fēngōng.
Mencius's 'those who labor with the mind rule; those who labor with force are ruled' reflects the ancient division of labor.
Zài xiàndài shèhuì, láoxīnzhězhìrén de guānniàn yǐ bèi chóngxīn shěnshì.
In modern society, the idea of 'mind-workers ruling' is being reexamined.

Tips

history
From 《孟子·》: 劳心劳力天下 (Those who labor with the mind govern others; those who labor with muscle are governed. Those who are governed feed others; those who govern are fed by others. This is the common principle of all under heaven). Mencius's defense of the scholar-official class — endlessly debated from imperial times through the modern era.
usage
Almost always quoted with the following 劳力 as a balanced pair. here = 'to govern,' not 'to cure.' The second (in ) reads as a passive: 'be governed by others.'

Stroke Order

láo
xīn
zhě
zhì
rén