incorruptible official; honest and poor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to be an incorruptible and honest official; to remain poor but upright in office
literaryUsed to praise officials who refuse bribes and maintain integrity. Often carries the connotation that the official lives modestly or poorly because they do not accept illicit money.
Tā他
wéi为
guān官
jǐ几
shí十
nián年
，
shǐ始
zhōng终
liǎng两
xiù袖
qīng清
fēng风
。
He served as an official for decades, remaining incorruptible throughout.
Zhè这
wèi位
tuì退
xiū休
gàn干
bù部
liǎng两
xiù袖
qīng清
fēng风
，
shēn深
shòu受
bǎi百
xìng姓
ài爱
dài戴
。
This retired cadre was incorruptible and deeply loved by the common people.
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Wǒ我
men们
yào要
xué学
xí习
tā他
liǎng两
xiù袖
qīng清
fēng风
、
lián廉
jié洁
fèng奉
gōng公
de的
jīng精
shén神
。
We must learn from his spirit of integrity and incorruptible public service.
Liǎng两
xiù袖
qīng清
fēng风
cháo朝
tiān天
qù去
，
miǎn免
de得
lǘ闾
yán阎
huà话
duǎn短
cháng长
。
I go to court with clean sleeves, lest the common folk gossip about my conduct.