pín jiàn bù néng yí: 贫贱不能移 - Unshakable in Poverty and Lowliness

• Keywords: pín jiàn bù néng yí, 贫贱不能移, unshakable principles, integrity in poverty, Mencius quote, Chinese chengyu, Chinese idiom for integrity, moral fortitude, not swayed by poverty, Confucian values, Chinese philosophy
• Summary: The Chinese idiom (chengyu) 贫贱不能移 (pín jiàn bù néng yí) describes a person of great moral integrity whose principles are unshakable, even when faced with poverty and a low social status. Originating from the philosopher Mencius, this phrase embodies the Confucian ideal of inner virtue triumphing over external hardship, representing a core concept of moral fortitude in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): pín jiàn bù néng yí
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (成语) - Four-character idiom
• HSK Level: N/A (Considered an advanced, classical term)
• Concise Definition: One's principles cannot be moved or changed by poverty or a humble social position.
• In a Nutshell: This is a highly respected concept from Confucian philosophy. It paints a picture of a “superior person” (君子, jūnzǐ) whose internal values and moral character are so strong that external circumstances, like being poor or having a low-status job, cannot corrupt them or change what they stand for. It’s the ultimate expression of inner strength and integrity in the face of adversity.

• 贫 (pín): Poor, impoverished.
• 贱 (jiàn): Lowly, humble, of low social status. In ancient times, this referred to one's social rank, not just a moral judgment.
• 不 (bù): Not, no.
• 能 (néng): Can, to be able to.
• 移 (yí): To move, to shift, to change, or to be swayed.

When combined, the characters literally mean: “Poverty (贫) and low status (贱) cannot (不能) move/sway (移)” a person's will or principles.

This idiom comes from a famous passage in the classic text Mencius (孟子), where the Confucian philosopher describes the ideal “great man” (大丈夫, dàzhàngfū). The full, iconic quote is: “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:

• “Riches and honors cannot corrupt him.”
• “Poverty and lowliness cannot move him from his principles.”
• “Power and force cannot make him bend his will.”

This trio of virtues represents the pinnacle of the Confucian ideal of the 君子 (jūnzǐ), or “superior person.” The core idea is that true virtue is internal and constant, completely independent of external rewards (wealth, status) or punishments (poverty, force). Comparison to Western Concepts: A Westerner might compare this to having a “stiff upper lip” or being “incorruptible.” However, there's a key difference. A “stiff upper lip” is about emotional stoicism and enduring hardship without complaint. “Incorruptible” is usually about resisting bribes. 贫贱不能移 is broader and more profound; it's about not letting your entire worldview, your moral compass, and your life's purpose be distorted by your material circumstances. It's the artist who refuses to sell out, the scholar who continues their research in obscurity, or the citizen who maintains their dignity and kindness despite destitution. It is a fundamental pillar of personal integrity in Chinese culture.

贫贱不能移 is a formal, literary, and highly respected term. You won't hear it in casual daily chatter, but it is frequently used in specific, serious contexts.

• Formal Speeches and Writing: Politicians, academics, and public figures use it to praise historical figures, national heroes, or moral exemplars. It adds weight and classical authority to their words.
• Education and Moral Instruction: It is taught in schools as a core tenet of good character and is often used by parents or elders to encourage younger generations to build strong principles.
• High Praise: Calling someone a person who is 贫贱不能移 is one of the highest compliments you can pay to their character and integrity.
• Personal Motto: For some, it serves as a personal motto or a source of self-encouragement during difficult times, reminding them to stay true to themselves.

Its connotation is universally positive, though in very cynical contexts, it might be used to describe someone as being naively idealistic or out of touch with modern realities.

• Example 1:
  • 他虽然一生穷困，却始终坚守自己的理想，真正做到了贫贱不能移。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán yīshēng qióngkùn, què shǐzhōng jiānshǒu zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng, zhēnzhèng zuòdào le pín jiàn bù néng yí.
  • English: Although he was poor his whole life, he always held fast to his ideals, truly achieving a state where poverty could not sway him.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use case, praising someone's lifelong dedication to their principles despite material hardship.
• Example 2:
  • 在这个物欲横流的社会，能做到贫贱不能移的人越来越少了。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège wùyù héngliú de shèhuì, néng zuòdào pín jiàn bù néng yí de rén yuèláiyuè shǎo le.
  • English: In this materialistic society, there are fewer and fewer people who can remain unshaken by poverty and lowliness.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to express a sense of nostalgia or lament for what the speaker perceives as declining moral standards in modern society.
• Example 3:
  • 老师教导我们，做人要有骨气，要学会贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jiàodǎo wǒmen, zuòrén yào yǒu gǔqì, yào xuéhuì pín jiàn bù néng yí, wēi wǔ bù néng qū.
  • English: The teacher taught us that to be a person of integrity, you must have backbone and learn to be unmoved by poverty and unbent by force.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used as part of the longer, original quote from Mencius in a direct educational context.
• Example 4:
  • 他拒绝了那份高薪但违背良心的工作，用行动诠释了什么是贫贱不能移。
  • Pinyin: Tā jùjué le nà fèn gāoxīn dàn wéibèi liángxīn de gōngzuò, yòng xíngdòng quánshì le shénme shì pín jiàn bù néng yí.
  • English: He rejected that high-paying but unethical job, demonstrating with his actions the meaning of “unshakable by poverty.”
  • Analysis: This example provides a concrete, modern scenario where the principle is applied.
• Example 5:
  • 作为一个学者，最重要的品质就是贫贱不能移的学术精神。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè xuézhě, zuì zhòngyào de pǐnzhì jiùshì pín jiàn bù néng yí de xuéshù jīngshén.
  • English: As a scholar, the most important quality is an academic spirit that cannot be swayed by poverty or lack of status.
  • Analysis: This links the idiom to a specific professional ethic, in this case, academic integrity.
• Example 6:
  • 爷爷总是说：“我们家可以穷，但志气不能短，要记住贫贱不能移。”
  • Pinyin: Yéye zǒngshì shuō: “Wǒmen jiā kěyǐ qióng, dàn zhìqì bùnéng duǎn, yào jìzhù pín jiàn bù néng yí.”
  • English: Grandpa always used to say: “Our family can be poor, but we can't be short on ambition and integrity; you must remember to not let poverty sway you.”
  • Analysis: A common use in family settings, passing down core values from one generation to the next.
• Example 7:
  • 这位官员因其贫贱不能移的品格而深受人民爱戴。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi guānyuán yīn qí pín jiàn bù néng yí de pǐngé ér shēn shòu rénmín àidài.
  • English: This official is deeply loved by the people because of his character of being incorruptible by poverty and lowliness.
  • Analysis: Highlights its use in describing an ideal public servant.
• Example 8:
  • 面对诱惑和压力，他没有忘记自己的初心，这正是贫贱不能移的体现。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì yòuhuò hé yālì, tā méiyǒu wàngjì zìjǐ de chūxīn, zhè zhèngshì pín jiàn bù néng yí de tǐxiàn.
  • English: Facing temptation and pressure, he did not forget his original intention; this is the very embodiment of being unshakable by poverty and lowliness.
  • Analysis: Connects the idiom to the modern concept of 初心 (chūxīn), or “staying true to one's original mission.”
• Example 9:
  • 很多人在成功之前都经历过一段艰难的岁月，但他们贫贱不能移，最终实现了梦想。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō rén zài chénggōng zhīqián dōu jīnglìguò yīduàn jiānnán de suìyuè, dàn tāmen pín jiàn bù néng yí, zuìzhōng shíxiàn le mèngxiǎng.
  • English: Many people go through a period of hardship before succeeding, but their principles were not swayed by their poor situation, and they eventually realized their dreams.
  • Analysis: This frames the idiom as a key characteristic of successful people who don't give up on their values during hard times.
• Example 10:
  • 他的故事告诉我们，精神上的富足远比物质上的财富更重要，这就是贫贱不能移的智慧。
  • Pinyin: Tā de gùshì gàosù wǒmen, jīngshén shàng de fùzú yuǎn bǐ wùzhí shàng de cáifù gèng zhòngyào, zhè jiùshì pín jiàn bù néng yí de zhìhuì.
  • English: His story tells us that spiritual wealth is far more important than material wealth; this is the wisdom of “poverty cannot sway principles.”
  • Analysis: This sentence summarizes the core philosophical message of the idiom.

• Not Just About Money: A common mistake is to focus only on the 贫 (pín - poor) part. The 贱 (jiàn - lowly status) is equally important. The idiom describes someone who is not swayed by a lack of social standing, influence, or recognition. They maintain their dignity and principles even when they are a “nobody” in society's eyes.
• Integrity, Not Stubbornness: 贫贱不能移 refers to holding fast to core moral principles. It is not the same as being stubborn (固执, gùzhí) or inflexible about everyday matters. A person embodying this idiom can be flexible in strategy but is rigid in their ethics.
• False Friend: “Unshakable”: In English, “unshakable” can describe faith, belief, or even a stubborn person. 贫贱不能移 is highly specific: it describes the quality of a person's character in the specific context of poverty and low social status. You would not use it to say “his belief in his team is unshakable.”

• 富贵不能淫 (fù guì bù néng yín): The first part of the Mencius quote; “cannot be corrupted by riches and honors.” This is the flip side of the coin.
• 威武不能屈 (wēi wǔ bù néng qū): The third part of the quote; “cannot be bent by power and force.” Completes the trio of virtues of a “great man.”
• 君子 (jūnzǐ): The Confucian ideal of a “superior person” or “gentleman” who embodies these principles.
• 大丈夫 (dàzhàngfū): The “great man” that Mencius was originally describing in the famous passage.
• 气节 (qìjié): Moral integrity, backbone, uncompromising virtue. A person who is 贫贱不能移 is said to have great 气节.
• 清廉 (qīnglián): Honest and incorruptible. This term is often used specifically for government officials and is a practical manifestation of the principle of 贫贱不能移.
• 安贫乐道 (ān pín lè dào): To live happily in poverty while pursuing the “Dao” (the Way/truth). This is related but distinct. 安贫乐道 is about contentment and inner peace despite poverty, while 贫贱不能移 is about fortitude and refusing to compromise one's principles under the pressure of poverty.
• 坚持原则 (jiānchí yuánzé): A modern, plainer way to say “to stick to one's principles.” It captures the general idea but lacks the profound cultural and historical weight of the chengyu.