Stories of Chinese word and term (33)

小康社会a moderately prosperous society. This term also came from 礼记The Book of Rites; a book published around 200 BC. It said:

“Later, the great way of life could not prevail. People only cared about their family. Caring their own parents and children, they did anything for self. Kings demised of the crown as normal as rite or tradition. People built walls for cities for their own safety. They set plenty rules between king and subjects, father and son, elder and younger brothers, husband and wife. They designed many institutions to separate land, to honour the wise and brave person. They valuate merit for self. So evil scheming is appeared and war started.  Yet the six saint禹、汤、文、武、成王 and周公 still insisted the right rite for good king or master. People trust their judgement, for they have enough credibility. If they lost credibility, even if they have power, people can dismiss them from office. Such a society is called as < a moderately prosperous society>.”

This term of 小康社会 was the target of current communist party before 2020. The report said, once the Engel coefficient reach 45% could be called < a moderately prosperous society>.

Pic from: http://www.sinaimg.cn/dy/c/2007-10-14/U2008P1T1D14082578F21DT20071014100221.jpg