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小國寡民. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
小國寡民, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
小國寡民 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
小國寡民 you have here. The definition of the word
小國寡民 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
小國寡民, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Etymology
From Tao Te Ching:
小國寡民，使有什伯之器而不用，使民重死而不遠徙。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
小国寡民，使有什伯之器而不用，使民重死而不远徙。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Tao Te Ching, 4th century BCE
- Xiǎoguóguǎmín, shǐ yǒu shíbó zhī qì ér bù yòng, shǐ mín zhòng sǐ ér bù yuǎn xǐ.
- In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there should be no employment of them; I would make the people, while looking on death as a grievous thing, yet not remove elsewhere (to avoid it).
Pronunciation
Idiom
小國寡民
- a small country with a small population