"National prosperity and decline, weakness and strength, are only relative matters. It is true that from the perspective of present-day China the West is powerful and rich, but to conclude from this that [the West] has achieved perfect government and maximum prosperity would be completely foolish. What we called in ancient times perfect governance and maximum prosperity was self-sufficiency for every person and family, each household containing people worthy of commendation , and the elimination of punishments. None of the Western nations has been able to reach this condition. In fact, it is not just that they cannot attain it, but, according to what sociologists say, it seems as they are leaving [this goal] ever farther behind. For an era to achieve perfect peace the people must have extremes neither of wealth nor of poverty, nor may there be huge distinctions of status."
Yan Fu, 1895
(translated by Theodore Huters in Bringing the World Home)
