lǐ​bù​xià​shù​rén

the rites do not apply to commoners

礼不下庶人 禮不下庶人 lǐ​bù​xià​shù​rén
the rites do not apply to commoners
(literary) an ancient concept from the Book of Rites suggesting that ordinary people are not expected to perform complex ceremonial rituals because they are preoccupied with labor and lack the necessary resources; rites do not extend to the common people