有恒产者有恒心

有恆產者有恆心

yǒuhéngchǎnzhěyǒuhéngxīn

phrase

Meanings

1 those with steady property have steady hearts
2 people with stable livelihoods have stable minds

Characters

constant / steady

property (恒产 = steady property)

one who (nominalizer)

heart (恒心 = perseverance)

Examples

有恒产者有恒心，无恒产者无恒心。

Yǒu héngchǎn zhě yǒu héngxīn, wú héngchǎn zhě wú héngxīn.

Those with steady property have steady hearts; those without steady property have no steady hearts.

有恒产者有恒心，让老百姓安居乐业才能社会稳定。

Yǒu héngchǎn zhě yǒu héngxīn, ràng lǎobǎixìng ānjū lèyè cáinéng shèhuì wěndìng.

Stable property makes for stable hearts — only when ordinary people live and work in peace can society be stable.

Tips

history

From 《孟子·滕文公上》. Mencius's argument to Duke Wen of Teng: ordinary people need a secure livelihood (恒产) before they can act with moral steadiness (恒心). One of the earliest and clearest statements of the material basis of morality in Chinese political philosophy — heavily cited in modern debates on property rights and rural reform.

usage

Canonical Mencius. Often paired with its negative half 无恒产者无恒心. 恒产 is now also a modern term for 'long-term property / real estate.'

Stroke Order

有 yǒu

恒 héng

产 chǎn

者 zhě

心 xīn