磨而不磷，涅而不缁 — “To remain uncorrupted or untainted by adverse circumstances”
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to remain uncorrupted or untainted by adverse circumstances”. To possess an unyielding character that is not easily influenced or compromised by a difficult environment. Literally, “Ground but not thinned, dyed but not blackened”.
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 Pronunciation and Pinyin
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 磨而不磷，涅而不缁
Origin and Story of 磨而不磷，涅而不缁
During the Spring and Autumn period, after Confucius was marginalized in the political arena of Lu, he led his disciples on a tour of various states. He visited states like Wei and Song, but his teachings did not gain significant influence.
On his way to Jin, his disciple Zilu advised him not to seek refuge with a morally questionable figure like Zhao Yang.
Confucius, however, believed himself to be a junzi (a noble person) who would 'be ground but not thinned, dyed but not blackened,' meaning he would maintain his integrity and not tarnish his reputation, regardless of the environment or people he encountered.
Idioms Related to 磨而不磷，涅而不缁
Synonyms of 磨而不磷，涅而不缁
More idioms starting with 磨
- mó磨qián乾yà轧kūn坤Towering high, reaching to the heavens
- mó磨dāo刀bù不wù误kǎn砍chái柴gōng工Sharpening tools improves work efficiency
- mó磨dāo刀cā擦qiāng枪prepare for battle
- mó磨dāo刀huò霍huò霍sharpening a blade for impending action
- mó磨lì厉yǐ以xū须prepare and wait for the opportune moment
- mó磨zuǐ嘴pí皮zi子talk idly or unnecessarily
- mó磨mò墨shǔn吮háo毫prepare ink and moisten brush
- mó磨mò墨rú濡háo毫prepare to write or paint
- mó磨xíng形liàn炼xìng性temper body and cultivate character
- mó磨quán拳cā擦zhǎng掌eager for a fight or action
- mó磨róu揉qiān迁gé革temper and transform through experience
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Open the tool →Questions about 磨而不磷，涅而不缁
What does 磨而不磷，涅而不缁 mean?
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 (mó ér bù lín ， niè ér bù zī) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to remain uncorrupted or untainted by adverse circumstances”.
How do you pronounce 磨而不磷，涅而不缁?
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 is pronounced mó ér bù lín ， niè ér bù zī in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 磨而不磷，涅而不缁 literally mean?
Literally, 磨而不磷，涅而不缁 means “Ground but not thinned, dyed but not blackened”. It is used to mean “to remain uncorrupted or untainted by adverse circumstances”.
Where does 磨而不磷，涅而不缁 come from?
磨而不磷，涅而不缁 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 磨而不磷，涅而不缁?
磨了以后不变薄，染了以后不变黑。比喻意志坚定的人不会受环境的影响。