Zhēnzhèng de fēnggǔ shì fùguìbùnéngyín, pínjiànbùnéngyí, wēiwǔbùnéngqū.
True backbone is: uncorrupted by wealth, unshaken by poverty, unbent by force.
Tips
history
From 《孟子·滕文公下》 (Mencius, Duke Teng Wen II). Mencius' definition of the 大丈夫 (great person): 富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈 — '(One who is) not corrupted by wealth and status, not moved by poverty and humble station, not bent by force and power'. The middle term of the triad — the test of hardship.
usage
Part of the canonical Mencian triad — see also 富贵不能淫 and 威武不能屈. Used in praise of people who stay on course through financial or social hardship; common in biography, tribute writing, and educational contexts.
