📖 Meaning
A metaphor for a person's steadfast moral character and integrity. It is a variant of the idiom 金声玉色, likening a person's virtue to the resonance of gold and the purity of jade. It describes someone whose conduct remains pure and uncorrupted.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom is a variant of 金声玉色, whose roots trace back to the Mencius (《孟子·万章下》), where Confucius is described as '金声而玉振之' — one who begins with the clarity of metal bells and culminates with the purity of jade chimes, symbolizing a sage's complete virtue. In later usage, 玉色 (jade appearance) or 玉服 (jade clothing) came to represent outward refinement and inner purity. No distinct independent origin story exists for this exact variant.
💡 Example Usage
这位老学者一生清白自守，可谓金声玉服，令人敬仰。
This elderly scholar kept himself pure and upright all his life — truly a person of gold-like resonance and jade-like integrity, commanding deep respect.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 金声玉服
- Pinyin: jīn shēng yù fú
- Literal Translation: gold, sound, jade, clothing
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4