有恒产者有恒心

有恆產者有恆心

Yǒu héngchǎn zhě yǒu héngxīn

quotation

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

HSK 7-9

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.

HSK 7-9

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 ānjūlèyè 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