📖 Meaning
To keep oneself pure and uncorrupted, refusing to go along with corrupt or immoral people. It can also carry a negative sense of being overly cautious—caring only about one's own reputation and ignoring public affairs to avoid trouble.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Mencius (《孟子·万章上》), where Mencius evaluates the ancient worthy and remarks that he 'simply kept his person pure' (归洁其身而已矣). Over time the expression evolved into the four-character idiom '洁身自好', emphasizing the virtue of guarding one's moral integrity in a tainted world. Later usage also developed a pejorative connotation, criticizing those who use 'keeping clean' as an excuse for indifference to collective concerns.
💡 Example Usage
在那个腐败盛行的年代，他始终洁身自好，不肯同流合污。
In an era rife with corruption, he remained above reproach and refused to go along with the rot.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 洁身自好
- Pinyin: jié shēn zì hào
- Literal Translation: clean, oneself, self, good
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4