亡國之音

From the Book of Rites, Book 19 (《禮記·樂記》):

是故治世之音安以樂，其政和。亂世之音怨以怒，其政乖。亡國之音哀以思，其民困。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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是故治世之音安以乐，其政和。乱世之音怨以怒，其政乖。亡国之音哀以思，其民困。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Shìgù zhìshì zhī yīn ān yǐ lè, qí zhèng hé. Luànshì zhī yīn yuàn yǐ nù, qí zhèng guāi. Wángguó zhī yīn āi yǐ sī, qí mín kùn. [Pinyin]

Hence, the airs of an age of good order indicate composure and enjoyment. The airs of an age of disorder indicate dissatisfaction and anger, and its government is perversely bad. The airs of a state going to ruin are expressive of sorrow and (troubled) thought.

亡國之音

1. degenerate or decadent music