有棱有角 angular
Explanation
形容人正直、不圆滑，也形容事物有棱角，不圆润。
Describes a person as upright and not smooth, or a thing as angular and not round.
Origin Story
从前，在一个小山村里，住着一位名叫李山的木匠。李山为人正直，性格刚毅，就像他制作的木器一样，棱角分明，不加任何修饰。村里人都说他“有棱有角”，这既是对他性格的评价，也是对他的技艺的赞扬。李山制作的家具，虽然外表朴实无华，但却结实耐用，深受村民们的喜爱。他从不追求华丽的外表，只注重内在的品质，就像他的人一样，有棱有角，却充满魅力。 有一天，村里来了一个富商，想订购一套精美的家具。他喜欢那些雕梁画栋、华丽精致的家具，对李山朴实无华的风格并不欣赏。他认为李山的家具缺乏美感，不够高雅。李山听了富商的评价后，并没有改变自己的风格，他依然坚持自己的原则，一丝不苟地制作每一件家具。他说：“我做家具，就像做人一样，不能为了迎合别人而改变自己。我要做的是，用心做好每一件作品，让它经得起时间的考验。” 最后，富商虽然没有订购李山的家具，但也被他的正直和坚持所感动。他明白，真正的美不在于外表的光鲜亮丽，而在于内在的品质。李山“有棱有角”的性格，让他在人生道路上走得更加坚定，也让他赢得了人们的尊重。
Once upon a time, in a small mountain village, lived a carpenter named Li Shan. Li Shan was an upright and strong-willed man, just like the furniture he made, angular and unadorned. The villagers said he had "sharp edges", both as a comment on his character and his craftsmanship. Li Shan's furniture, though plain in appearance, was sturdy and durable, and was much loved by the villagers. He never sought outward splendor, only focusing on inner quality, just like his personality: angular, yet full of charm. One day, a wealthy merchant came to the village and wanted to order a set of exquisite furniture. He liked the ornate and elaborately crafted furniture, and did not appreciate Li Shan's simple style. He felt that Li Shan's furniture lacked aesthetic appeal and sophistication. After hearing the merchant's comments, Li Shan did not change his style. He still adhered to his principles, meticulously crafting each piece of furniture. He said, "I make furniture just like I live my life; I can't change myself to please others. I want to make each piece of work with care, so that it can withstand the test of time." In the end, although the wealthy merchant did not order furniture from Li Shan, he was touched by his integrity and persistence. He understood that true beauty lies not in outward splendor, but in inner quality. Li Shan's "sharp edges" helped him walk more firmly on the path of life, and also earned him the respect of people.
Usage
通常作谓语、定语；形容人正直、不圆滑，也形容事物有棱角，不圆润。
Usually used as predicate or attributive; describes a person as upright and not smooth, or a thing as angular and not round.
Examples
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他为人正直，有棱有角，从不阿谀奉承。
tā wéi rén zhèng zhí, yǒu léng yǒu jiǎo, cóng bù ēyú fèngchéng.
He is upright and has sharp edges, never flattering.
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会议上，他发言有棱有角，观点鲜明。
huìyì shàng, tā fāyán yǒu léng yǒu jiǎo, guāndiǎn xiānmíng
At the meeting, his speech was sharp and his views were clear.