📖 Meaning
To endure humiliation and tolerate slander with forbearance. It describes a person of great magnanimity who can bear insults and absorb criticism without retaliation, often used to praise a ruler or leader's breadth of character.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Zuo Zhuan' (Commentary of Zuo), under the 15th year of Duke Xuan of the State of Lu. A minister recites a proverb: 'Rivers and marshes take in filthy water, mountains and thickets harbor venomous creatures, fine jade conceals flaws — so too, a ruler who swallows disgrace follows the way of Heaven.' The idiom was coined from this counsel, urging rulers to endure personal slights for the greater stability of the state.
💡 Example Usage
成大事者，必须学会含垢纳污，不计较小节。
Those who achieve great things must learn to swallow humiliation and tolerate slander, not fretting over trifles.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 含垢纳污
- Pinyin: hán gòu nà wū
- Literal Translation: swallow, disgrace, accept, filth
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4