不磷不缁
不磷不缁
Pinyin: bù lín bù zīExplanation: Not worn away nor blackened. It refers to a person who remains pure and uncorrupted despite facing trials or adversity. The phrase comes from the Analects of Confucius where it describes an ideal personality that does not lose its integrity even under pressure.
Source: 《论语•阳货篇第十七》
text
子曰：“衣敝緼袍，与衣狐貉者立，而不耻者，其由也与！‘不忮不求，何用不臧？’”子路终身诵之。子曰：“是道也，何足以臧？”
子曰：“岁寒，然后知松柏之后凋也。”
子曰：“知者不惑，仁者不忧，勇者不惧。”
子曰：“可与共学，未可与适道；可与适道，未可与立；可与立，未可与权。”
In this passage, Confucius praises Ziyuan (Zi Lu) for being able to stand next to those dressed in luxurious fur coats without feeling ashamed while wearing his own tattered clothing made of hemp fabric. He compares Ziyuan's steadfastness to the resilience of pine trees during harsh winter when other plants wither away. This metaphor illustrates how someone with inner strength can maintain their moral character regardless of external circumstances.
Similar Phrase(s): 百折不挠（bǎizhébùnáo）
Opposite Phrase(s): 同流合污（tóngliúgǔwū）
Correct Pronunciation: bù lín bù zīTraditional Chinese Characters: 不磷不缁
Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks at work, he remained true to himself and never compromised on ethical principles; just like "不磷不缁"—unaffected by the world around him yet still capable of achieving great things within it.
