衣食足而知荣辱

衣食足而知榮辱

yī shí zú ér zhī róng rǔ

quotation

Meanings

1 when clothing and food are sufficient, people understand honor and shame
2 material security is the basis of moral awareness

Characters

sufficient, enough

shame, disgrace

Examples

HSK 5

经济发展是道德建设的基础，衣食足而知荣辱。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn shì dàodé jiànshè de jīchǔ, yīshízú'érzhīróngrǔ.

Economic development underpins moral progress - when food and clothing suffice, people understand honor and shame.

HSK 7-9

‘仓廪实而知礼节，衣食足而知荣辱’，管子的话到今天还适用。

' Cānglǐnshí'érzhīlǐjié, yīshízú'érzhīróngrǔ ', Guǎnzǐ dehuà dào jīntiān hái shìyòng.

‘When granaries are full, people observe propriety; when clothed and fed, they understand honor and shame’ - Guanzi's words still apply today.

Tips

history

From 《管子·牧民》 (attributed to 管仲, Spring & Autumn period): 仓廪实则知礼节，衣食足则知荣辱. (When granaries are full, people know propriety; when clothed and fed, they know honor and shame.) 司马迁 later cited it in 《史记·管晏列传》 using 而 instead of 则.

usage

Often quoted with 仓廪实而知礼节. Used today in speeches on poverty alleviation and the link between livelihood and civic morality.

Stroke Order

衣 yī

食 shí

足 zú

而 ér

知 zhī

荣 róng

辱 rǔ