"Night without bolting doors" literally means not needing to close doors when sleeping at night, describing extremely good public order, where no one picks up lost items on the road and the people are simple and honest. Its deeper meaning refers to clean and enlightened politics, a populace living and working in peace and contentment, well-ordered social conditions, and everyone consciously abiding by moral norms without needing to guard against others. This idiom comes from The Book of Rites, Chapter on the Evolution of Rites, describing the ideal state of a Great Harmony society and embodying the Confucian esteem for rule by virtue and moral education. It is mostly used to praise social stability and good public order, or to describe places with simple and honest folkways. Its emotional tone is commendatory, carrying a sense of idealism and praise. In terms of cultural background, it is often used together with "no one picks up lost items on the road," becoming a hallmark for measuring a peaceful and prosperous age and reflecting the ancients' longing for a harmonious society.
📝 Example
1. This small town has simple and honest folkways; doors are left unlocked at night and lost items are not picked up from the road, which has attracted many tourists.
2. Under the government's effective governance, the region has achieved a peaceful scene where doors are left unlocked at night.