Most precious are the people; next come the spirits of land and grain; and last, the kings.
民為貴,社稷次之,君為輕。
Original text (Chinese)
Notes from Wikiquote
The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain come next; the sovereign counts for the least. | Of the first importance are the people, next comes the good of land and grains, and of the least importance is the ruler. | The people are the most important ... and the ruler is the least important.