Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and lowliness cannot sway, and power and force cannot bend.

This saying comes from "Teng Wen Gong II" in Mencius, representing Mencius's classic exposition on the character of a true great man. At that time, Mencius was discussing with Jing Chun what constitutes a true great man. Jing Chun believed that strategists like Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi, who could influence princes and affect the world, were great men. Mencius argued that these people were merely sycophants who followed the powerful, and that a true great man should have firm moral integrity and not be swayed by external things.

The deeper meaning of this saying is that a truly virtuous person should possess three unshakable spiritual qualities: not losing one's true nature when facing the temptation of wealth and status, maintaining moral integrity; not changing one's aspirations when in poverty and humble circumstances, adhering to principles; not yielding or bowing when facing threats from power and violence, maintaining dignity. "Yin" refers to being confused or corrupted, "Yi" refers to changing or being shaken, and "Qu" refers to yielding or bowing, together forming a complete standard of noble character.

According to Mencius, when Mencius was teaching in the State of Qi, a man named Jing Chun asked him: "Aren't Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi truly great men? When they are angry, princes become fearful; when they live peacefully, the world becomes calm." Mencius replied: "How can these be called great men? Haven't you studied the rituals? When a man reaches adulthood, his father gives him instructions; when a woman marries, her mother gives her instructions, seeing her off at the door and admonishing her: 'When you go to your husband's family, you must be respectful and cautious, and do not disobey your husband!' To take obedience as correct is the way of concubines and wives. To dwell in the vast dwelling of the world, to stand in the correct position of the world, to walk on the great path of the world; when achieving ambitions, to walk with the people; when failing to achieve ambitions, to walk alone on one's path. Not to be corrupted by wealth and honor, not to be shaken by poverty and humbleness, not to be bent by power and force - this is what is called a great man."

This saying has become the spiritual coordinate of traditional Chinese scholar-officials, influencing the character pursuit of Chinese intellectuals for over two thousand years. From Qu Yuan's "The road ahead is long and far, I will seek it up and down," to Wen Tianxiang's "Since ancient times, who has not faced death? Let my loyal heart illuminate the historical records," to Lin Zexu's "If it benefits the country, I will risk life and death; how could I avoid it because of fortune or misfortune," all embody this character. Rulers of all dynasties used it as the standard for selecting officials, and the common people used it as the criterion for educating their children.

1. Establish correct values: Clarify life goals and place moral pursuit above material pursuit 2. Cultivate willpower: Exercise self-control through daily small things, such as not coveting small advantages or lying 3. Establish bottom-line thinking: Set moral bottom lines that cannot be crossed and do not violate them under any circumstances 4. Find spiritual support: Read classic works and draw spiritual strength from ancient people's deeds 5. Test in practice: Practice this character in daily life, such as maintaining composure when facing temptations