涅而不缁

涅而不緇
niè'érbùzī

to be unaffected by adverse surroundings as one is virtuous

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

=1 涅 niè
  1. (literary) alunite (formerly used as a black dye)
  2. (literary) to dye black
=1 涅 niè variant of 涅 niè
2 而 ér
  1. and
  2. as well as
  3. and so
  4. but (not)
  5. yet (not)
  6. (indicates causal relation)
  7. (indicates change of state)
  8. (indicates contrast)
3 不 bù
  1. no; not so
  2. (bound form) not; un-
4 缁 zī
  1. Buddhists
  2. black silk
  3. dark