Jīngjì fāzhǎn shì dàodé jiànshè de jīchǔ, yī shí zú ér zhī róng rǔ.
Economic development underpins moral progress — when food and clothing suffice, people understand honor and shame.
Tips
history
From 《管子·牧民》 (attributed to Guan Zhong 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.) Sima Qian 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.
