Quân tử cố cùng
Definition
- Noun Phrase (Idiom):
- The noble person remains steadfast even in poverty: This classical idiom describes a person of high moral character who maintains their integrity, principles, and dignity even when facing extreme hardship, destitution, or desperate circumstances. It contrasts the behavior of a virtuous person ("quân tử") with that of a petty person ("tiểu nhân") who would act recklessly when cornered.
Usage Examples
- Noun Phrase:
- Anh ấy thất bại nhưng không hề nản chí, đúng là "quân tử cố cùng". (He failed but never became discouraged, truly "the noble person remains steadfast even in poverty".)
- Câu chuyện về sự kiên định của ông ấy là một minh họa hoàn hảo cho tinh thần "quân tử cố cùng". (The story of his perseverance is a perfect illustration of the spirit of "the noble person remains steadfast even in poverty".)
Advanced Usage
- This phrase is often used in literary, philosophical, or formal contexts to praise someone's unyielding character. It can be employed as a subject, object, or as a standalone evaluative comment.
- Trong văn hóa truyền thống, hình mẫu "quân tử cố cùng" luôn được tôn vinh. (In traditional culture, the model of "the noble person remains steadfast even in poverty" is always revered.)
Variants and Related Words
Quân tử (n): A gentleman; a noble or virtuous person of high moral standards.
- Ông ấy hành xử như một bậc quân tử thực thụ. (He behaves like a true gentleman.)
Tiểu nhân cùng tư lạm hỹ (idiom): The petty person, when desperate, will act recklessly. This is the direct contrasting phrase often paired with "quân tử cố cùng".
- Hắn ta vì thiếu nợ mà đi lừa đảo, đúng là "tiểu nhân cùng tư lạm hỹ". (He resorted to fraud because of debt, exactly "the petty person, when desperate, will act recklessly".)
Synonyms
- Moral integrity in adversity: Maintaining ethical principles during hard times.
- Unyielding virtue: Virtue that does not bend under pressure.
- Steadfast in poverty: Remaining firm and principled while poor.
Related Idioms
Chết trong còn hơn sống đục: Better to die with integrity than to live in corruption. This shares the theme of valuing principle over circumstance.
- Ông cụ thà nghèo mà sạch, đúng như câu "chết trong còn hơn sống đục". (The old man would rather be poor and clean, just like the saying "better to die with integrity than to live in corruption".)
Giấy rách phải giữ lấy lề: Even if the paper is torn, one must preserve the margin. This proverb means one must maintain core principles and dignity despite outward ruin.
- Dù khó khăn, chúng ta phải "giấy rách phải giữ lấy lề". (Even in difficulty, we must "preserve the margin even if the paper is torn".)