fùguì_bù_néng_yín: 富贵不能淫 - Uncorrupted by Wealth and Status

• Keywords: fù guì bù néng yín, 富贵不能淫, Chinese integrity, Mencius quote, not corrupted by wealth, maintain principles, Chinese philosophy, moral character, virtue, incorruptible, Chinese proverb, Confucian ethics.
• Summary: “富贵不能淫 (fù guì bù néng yín)” is a classical Chinese proverb from the philosopher Mencius, meaning “not to be corrupted by wealth and status.” It champions the virtue of maintaining one's moral integrity, principles, and character even when faced with the temptations of great prosperity and power. This concept is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese ethics, celebrating those who remain humble and incorruptible regardless of their success.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fù guì bù néng yín
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) / Idiomatic Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (This is a classical idiom beyond the scope of HSK, but its individual characters are found around HSK 4-5.)
• Concise Definition: One's principles and character should not be corrupted by wealth and high status.
• In a Nutshell: This phrase is a powerful statement about personal integrity. It describes a person who achieves great success, wealth, or power but doesn't let it go to their head. They don't become arrogant, greedy, or morally compromised. Instead, they remain grounded, humble, and true to their original values. It's the ideal of being incorruptible in the face of temptation.

• 富 (fù): Refers to wealth, riches, and abundance.
• 贵 (guì): Refers to high social status, nobility, or being honored.
• 不能 (bù néng): A common grammatical structure meaning “cannot” or “unable to be.”
• 淫 (yín): This is the key character. In modern Chinese, it usually refers to lewdness or obscenity. However, in this classical context, its meaning is much broader: “to corrupt,” “to lead astray,” or “to cause excess.”

When combined, “富 (wealth) 贵 (status) 不能 (cannot) 淫 (corrupt),” the phrase forms a clear moral principle: The temptations of riches and power should be unable to corrupt a person's character.

This phrase is not just a proverb; it's a foundational piece of Chinese moral philosophy, originating from the classic text *Mencius* (《孟子》), a cornerstone of Confucianism. It is part of a longer quote describing the ideal man (大丈夫, dàzhàngfū): “富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈” (fù guì bù néng yín, pín jiàn bù néng yí, wēi wǔ bù néng qū) This translates to: “He cannot be corrupted by wealth and status, cannot be moved by poverty and lowliness, and cannot be bent by force and power.” This triad establishes a gold standard for character: a person's inner moral compass should remain constant regardless of external pressures, whether they be temptation (wealth), hardship (poverty), or coercion (power).

• Comparison to Western Concepts: A similar Western idea might be “not selling out” or “staying grounded.” However, `富贵不能淫` carries much more philosophical weight. “Not selling out” often pertains to artistic or personal authenticity, while `富贵不能淫` addresses one's fundamental moral and ethical integrity as a member of society. It's less about “staying true to your band” and more about “staying true to your core principles as a virtuous human being.” It is the direct opposite of the “nouveau riche” stereotype, where new money leads to moral decay.

`富贵不能淫` is a formal and respected phrase. You won't hear it in everyday casual chatter, but it is very present in more serious contexts.

• Inspirational and Moralistic Contexts: It is often used in speeches by leaders, in company mission statements, and in educational materials to encourage high ethical standards. It's a common way to praise a public servant, official, or CEO who has demonstrated integrity.
• Giving Advice: An elder might say this to a young person on the brink of a successful career as a piece of serious advice: “Remember, no matter how successful you become, 富贵不能淫.”
• Praising Character: It is used to describe someone who has achieved great success but remains humble, kind, and generous. It's a high form of praise for someone's character.
• Media and Literature: The phrase is a common trope in historical dramas and literature to define a heroic or righteous character, distinguishing them from the corrupt antagonists.

• Example 1:
  • 作为一名官员，他始终牢记“富贵不能淫”，拒绝了所有的贿赂。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng guānyuán, tā shǐzhōng láo jì “fù guì bù néng yín”, jùjuéle suǒyǒu de huìlù.
  • English: As an official, he always kept firmly in mind that one “must not be corrupted by wealth and status,” and he rejected all bribes.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, formal usage, praising the moral integrity of someone in a position of power.
• Example 2:
  • 父亲教导儿子，将来无论多么成功，都要做到富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移。
  • Pinyin: Fùqīn jiàodǎo érzi, jiānglái wúlùn duōme chénggōng, dōu yào zuò dào fù guì bù néng yín, pín jiàn bù néng yí.
  • English: The father taught his son that no matter how successful he becomes in the future, he must remain “uncorrupted by wealth and unswayed by poverty.”
  • Analysis: Here, the phrase is used as a piece of life advice, often passed down through generations. Note the use of the following phrase from the original quote.
• Example 3:
  • 他是商界里少有的能真正做到富贵不能淫的企业家。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì shāngjiè lǐ shǎoyǒu de néng zhēnzhèng zuò dào fù guì bù néng yín de qǐyèjiā.
  • English: He is one of the rare entrepreneurs in the business world who can truly be uncorrupted by wealth and status.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the phrase to bestow high praise on a business leader, contrasting them with the stereotype of greedy executives.
• Example 4:
  • 很多艺术家成名后就变了，但她没有，她用行动诠释了什么是富贵不能淫。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō yìshùjiā chéngmíng hòu jiù biànle, dàn tā méiyǒu, tā yòng xíngdòng quánshìle shénme shì fù guì bù néng yín.
  • English: Many artists change after becoming famous, but she didn't. She demonstrated with her actions what it means to be “uncorrupted by wealth and status.”
  • Analysis: This shows the concept applied to the world of art and fame, highlighting a person's consistency of character.
• Example 5:
  • “ 富贵不能淫 ” 是我的人生信条之一。
  • Pinyin: “Fù guì bù néng yín” shì wǒ de rénshēng xìntiáo zhī yī.
  • English: “To be uncorrupted by wealth and status” is one of my life's mottos.
  • Analysis: A direct and personal application of the phrase as a guiding principle.
• Example 6:
  • 有些人一旦有钱就忘了本，完全不懂富贵不能淫的道理。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén yīdàn yǒu qián jiù wàngle běn, wánquán bù dǒng fù guì bù néng yín de dàolǐ.
  • English: Some people forget who they are as soon as they get money; they completely don't understand the principle of “not being corrupted by wealth.”
  • Analysis: This example uses the phrase in a negative construction to criticize those who lack integrity.
• Example 7:
  • 我们的教育旨在培养富贵不能淫、威武不能屈的下一代。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de jiàoyù zhǐ zài péiyǎng fù guì bù néng yín a, wēiwǔ bùnéng qū de xià yī dài.
  • English: Our education aims to cultivate a next generation that “cannot be corrupted by wealth and cannot be bent by force.”
  • Analysis: This shows the phrase used in a broader, societal context related to education and values.
• Example 8:
  • 在这个物欲横流的社会，能坚持富贵不能淫是多么可贵啊！
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège wùyù héngliú de shèhuì, néng jiānchí fù guì bù néng yín shì duōme kěguì a!
  • English: In this materialistic society, being able to adhere to the principle of “not being corrupted by wealth” is so precious!
  • Analysis: This sentence frames the concept as a valuable and rare trait in modern times.
• Example 9:
  • 这位老教授一生淡泊名利，完美地体现了富贵不能淫的精神。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu yīshēng dànbó mínglì, wánměi de tǐxiànle fù guì bù néng yín de jīngshén.
  • English: This old professor lived a life indifferent to fame and fortune, perfectly embodying the spirit of being “uncorrupted by wealth and status.”
  • Analysis: Note that “wealth and status” can also apply to non-monetary gains like academic prestige or fame.
• Example 10:
  • 他虽然身居高位，却从不铺张浪费，生活简朴，这正是富贵不能淫的体现。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán shēnjū gāowèi, què cóng bù pūzhāng làngfèi, shēnghuó jiǎnpǔ, zhè zhèng shì fù guì bù néng yín de tǐxiàn.
  • English: Although he holds a high position, he is never extravagant or wasteful and lives a simple life. This is a perfect reflection of being “uncorrupted by wealth and status.”
  • Analysis: This example gives concrete actions (living simply) as evidence of the abstract principle.

• Mistake 1: Misunderstanding “淫 (yín)”.
  • A beginner learner might see `淫` and, knowing its common modern meaning (“lewd,” “obscene”), think the phrase is specifically about avoiding a decadent, promiscuous lifestyle after getting rich. While that can be part of it, the classical meaning is much broader. It means being morally corrupted or led into any kind of excess, including greed, arrogance, and abuse of power.
• Mistake 2: Using it too casually.
  • This is a formal, weighty phrase. Using it for a minor situation can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic.
  • Incorrect: `我朋友涨了工资还请我喝咖啡，真是富贵不能淫！` (My friend got a raise and still bought me coffee, he's truly uncorrupted by wealth!)
  • Why it's wrong: The situation is far too small for such a profound moral statement. A more appropriate, modern phrase would be 不忘初心 (bù wàng chū xīn), or simply saying he's a good friend.

• 贫贱不能移 (pín jiàn bù néng yí): The second phrase in the Mencius quote; “cannot be moved by poverty and low status.” It is the direct counterpart, emphasizing resilience in hardship.
• 威武不能屈 (wēi wǔ bù néng qū): The third phrase; “cannot be bent by force and power.” It refers to integrity in the face of threats and coercion.
• 不忘初心 (bù wàng chū xīn): A more modern and common phrase meaning “don't forget your original intention.” It's like a less formal, more accessible version of `富贵不能淫`.
• 洁身自好 (jié shēn zì hào): “To keep oneself clean and value oneself”; to preserve one's integrity by staying away from corrupting influences. It's about maintaining personal purity.
• 出淤泥而不染 (chū yū ní ér bù rǎn): “To emerge from the mud unstained.” A beautiful metaphor (often used for the lotus flower) for maintaining one's purity and integrity despite being in a corrupt environment.
• 高风亮节 (gāo fēng liàng jié): Describes someone of “noble character and high moral integrity.” It's a term used to praise a person who embodies principles like `富贵不能淫`.
• 见利忘义 (jiàn lì wàng yì): (Antonym) “To see profit and forget righteousness.” This describes someone who abandons their principles for personal gain—the very person `富贵不能淫` warns against becoming.
• 君子 (jūnzǐ): The Confucian “gentleman” or “superior person,” an ideal figure who is cultivated to embody all these moral virtues.