The New Dictionary.
Search dictionary
Chinese/Dictionary entry

俭以养廉

jiǎn yǐ yǎng liándictionary entry
DEFINITION CC-CEDICT
(idiom) frugality makes honesty
Sources & editorial notes

Reference definitions: CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source release 2026-10-27T01:55:52Z. Imported 2026-10-27. Definition wording and meaning order are retained. Recognized pronunciation references are displayed with tone marks; the original source record is available below.

Source record: cd-a9078b17932ae816. Source SHA-256: bbc4b27f26bee1a262f4d7939667a040c7857c7fc0200a2fa7a86d3352a09eae.

Original source entry:

儉以養廉 俭以养廉 [jian3 yi3 yang3 lian2] /(idiom) frugality makes honesty/

Reference definitions and teaching material have separate provenance.

Reference information

The definitions above are from CC-CEDICT. Examples and usage notes are available on selected entries.

Character information

View the individual characters. Their meanings do not necessarily explain the meaning of the whole word.

Other forms in these source records: 儉以養廉

  • 俭
    jiǎn

    (bound form) frugal / thrifty

  • 以
    yǐ

    to use / by means of / according to / in order to / because of / at (a certain date or place)

    Yǐ

    abbr. for Israel 以色列[Yǐ sè liè]

  • 养
    yǎng

    to raise (animals) / to bring up (children) / to keep (pets) / to support / to give birth

  • 廉
    lián

    incorruptible / honest / inexpensive / to investigate (old) / side wall of a traditional Chinese house (old)

    Lián

    surname Lian

Reference definitions from CC-CEDICT.