修身斉家治国平天下
しゅうしんせいかちこくへいてんか
Meanings
- Expression those who wish to rule the land must first cultivate their own characters, then manage their families, then govern their states; only then can they bring peace to the land (from the Book of Rites)
Kanji
- 修 mend. Read as シュウ.
- 身 body. Read as シン.
- 斉 uniform. Read as セイ.
- 家 home
- 治 govern
- 国 country. Read as コク.
- 平 flat. Read as ヘイ.
- 天 heaven. Read as テン.
- 下 down. Read as カ.