Family-state / Country

Family-state referred to the land owned by feudal lords and officials in ancient China. The land of a feudal lord was called “state” and the land of an official was called “family.” In ancient China, family, clan and country shared common structural features, all founded on the basis of blood relationships. This is the socalled “commensurability of family and state.” Family-state later referred to the entire territory of a country. In modern times, the term is also used to denote a polity encompassing a territory, a people, and a government.

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A man of virtue and talent should be aware of potential danger in time of peace, keep in mind possible peril in time of security, and be vigilant of turmoil in time of order. Then he can keep himself safe and his country preserved. (The Book of Changes) People often say, “State and family are all under heaven.” The root of all under heaven is in the state. The root of a state is in the family. (Mencius)

国家(ɡuójiā)

古代指诸侯和大夫的领地。古代诸侯的封地称“国”，大夫的封地称“家”。“国家”是“国”与“家”的合称。在古代中国，家庭、家族、国家都是依据血缘、宗法关系构建起来的，在组织结构上具有共通性。这就是所谓的“家国同构”。后演变指一国的全部疆域。近代以来，“国家”又指由一定疆域、人民和政权机构共同构成的政治实体。

【引例】

君子安而不忘危，存而不忘亡，治而不忘乱，是以身安而国家可保也。（《周易•系辞下》） 人有恒言，皆曰“天下国家”。天下之本在国，国之本在家。（《孟子•离娄上》）