"Not to be bent by power" comes from Mencius, "Teng Wen Gong II," and is one of Mencius's classic statements on the moral integrity of a great man. The original passage reads: "To be neither corrupted by wealth and honor, nor moved by poverty and lowliness, nor bent by power and force—this is what is called a great man." Its literal meaning is: power, force, or might cannot make a person submit. Its deeper meaning lies in praising a noble character of steadfastness and unyielding adherence to moral principle, emphasizing that even in the face of external oppression, threats, or violence, a person can still preserve inner principles and integrity and will not change stance out of fear. This idiom is often used to describe the spirit of heroes, revolutionary martyrs, or upright individuals who do not bow down or compromise in the face of power. It is mostly used in political, historical, and literary commentary to express admiration for firm moral integrity. Its emotional coloring is positive, carrying a sense of solemnity, fortitude, and loftiness. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian pursuit of the ideal personality of the "great man" and is in the same lineage as spirits such as "sacrificing life for righteousness" and "rather break than bend," making it an important expression of the view of moral integrity in traditional Chinese culture.
📝 Example
1. Facing the enemy's severe torture, he remained unyielding in the face of force and never leaked any secrets. (Meaning: Not submitting in the face of power and violence, and upholding moral integrity.)
2. This lawyer, even under threats from the powerful, remained unyielding in the face of force and insisted on seeking justice for the weak. (Meaning: Not giving up principles and stance because of pressure from power.)