Chinese idiom · 成语
两袖清风
Meaning
Two sleeves of clear wind; an honest, untainted official.
Character by character
Origin and story
historicalThe image of sleeves filled with a fresh breeze occurs in Yuan writing about pleasure and an unencumbered manner of life. Its familiar association with official integrity is illustrated by Ming accounts of Yu Qian. Ye Sheng's Shuidong Riji (水东日记) says that when Yu went to the capital for official business, he alone did not carry local products to bribe influential people.
A poem attributed to him contrasts handkerchiefs, mushrooms, and incense taken as gifts with the clean breeze in his own empty sleeves. The point is not that wind literally proves honesty, but that he brings no goods to purchase favor. This association made 两袖清风 a lasting compliment for officials who remain free of illicit gain.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他办事公正，两袖清风，连节日礼物也婉言谢绝。
He handles affairs fairly and with integrity, politely declining even holiday gifts.
Praises incorruptibility, especially in public office; more specific than simply being poor.