Confucius was traveling to the state of Wei, with his disciple Ran You driving his carriage. Seeing how populous Wei was, Confucius remarked, “So many people!” Ran You asked, “Now that there are so many people, what should be done next?” Confucius replied, “Make them prosperous.” Ran You then asked, “Once they are prosperous, what comes next?” Confucius answered, “Educate them.”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius illustrates his three-stage approach to governance: first, a large population; second, economic prosperity; and third, moral and cultural education. It reflects the Confucian principle of “enrich first, then educate”—the idea that only when people’s material needs are met can they effectively receive ethical instruction. This highlights the sequential relationship between economic foundation and spiritual development, emphasizing that good governance must go beyond mere wealth creation to include moral cultivation and education, ultimately fostering a harmonious and civilized society.
Further Reading
Both place “adequate food” (enriching the people) as a priority serves as the material foundation for social stability.
子適衛，冉有僕。子曰：「庶矣哉！」冉有曰：「既庶矣。又何加焉？」曰：「富之。」曰：「既富矣，又何加焉？」曰：「教之。」
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