Confucius: Badly Governed Country
on Tuesday, October 9, 2018Confucius Money Quote saying proven true in dramatic fashion today, poorly governed countries breed corruption, waste and criminal activity, so wealth means shame. Confucius said:
“In a country well governed poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed wealth is something to be ashamed of.” — Confucius
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In this quote, Confucius seems to be contrasting how poverty and wealth should be viewed depending on the quality of a country’s governance. He suggests that in a society with just, competent leadership where people’s basic needs are met, citizens should feel ashamed to be poor as it may indicate a lack of diligent self-improvement or contribution.
However, Confucius also notes that wealth attained under corrupt or ineffective rule should itself be a source of embarrassment, as it likely stemmed from exploiting loopholes, unfair advantages or instability rather than meritocratic means.
Overall, the quote conveys Confucius’ view that a government’s performance establishes the appropriate social and ethical context for evaluating people’s economic conditions – and that self-sufficiency is an ideal under good governance, while accumulations may not be rightfully earned under bad leadership.
Birthday: c. 551 – Death: c. 479 BCE