民为贵社稷次之

The people are the most important; the state comes second.

《孟子》

"The people are the most important; the state comes next." This originates from "Jin Xin II" in Mencius, with the original text reading: "The people are the most important; the state comes next; the ruler is the least important." This is the core expression of Mencius's people-oriented thought, meaning: the people are the most important, the state (the altars of soil and grain) comes next, and the ruler is the least important. The deeper meaning lies in emphasizing that state governance should take the people's well-being as its foundation, and that the legitimacy of political power stems from the people's support or rejection, rather than from the ruler's authority. It is mostly used in discussions of political philosophy, statecraft, and social policy, and is especially applicable in contexts that emphasize prioritizing people's livelihood and putting the people at the center. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian pursuit of "benevolent governance" and "the kingly way," and has had a profound influence on later Chinese political thought. For example, Tang Taizong's saying, "Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it," is in the same lineage. Its emotional tone is solemn and serious, carrying a strong sense of moral duty and warning, and it is often cited to argue for the people's principal position or to criticize policies that neglect people's livelihood.

1. Policymakers should bear in mind the ancient admonition that "the people are the most important; the state comes second," and give top priority to solving the pressing and difficult problems that the masses face. (This sentence uses the idiom to emphasize that the people's interests are above the interests of state institutions, reminding those in power to put people's livelihood first.) 2. When discussing healthcare reform, he quoted "the people are the most important; the state comes second," arguing that resources should be directed toward primary-level healthcare rather than focusing only on building large hospitals. (This sentence uses the idiom to express that the allocation of national resources should give priority to the people's health needs rather than institutional or systemic interests.)