粗衣粝食 coarse clothes and simple food
Explanation
粝：粗米。穿粗布衣，吃粗米饭。形容生活水平很低。也指不追求生活享受。
Lì: coarse rice. Wearing coarse cloth clothes and eating coarse rice. It describes a very low standard of living. It also refers to not pursuing life enjoyment.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的隐士，厌倦了朝廷的喧嚣，隐居山林，过着与世无争的生活。他住在简陋的小茅屋里，衣着朴素，每日以粗茶淡饭为食，有时甚至粗衣粝食，日子清贫却也自在。他常在山间溪流旁挥毫泼墨，吟诗作赋，寄情山水，虽生活清苦，但他心境平和，不为外物所扰，这便是他想要的自由与快乐。一日，一位达官贵人慕名而来，想请李白入朝为官。李白却婉言谢绝，他早已看透了官场的尔虞我诈，更珍惜自己这粗衣粝食的宁静生活。他明白，真正的快乐不在于富贵荣华，而在于内心的平静与自由。
In the Tang Dynasty, a hermit named Li Bai, tired of the hustle and bustle of the court, retired to the mountains and lived a life of peace. He lived in a simple hut, dressed plainly, and ate simple meals every day, sometimes even coarse clothes and coarse food. His life was poor, but he felt free. He often wrote poetry and painted by the streams in the mountains, finding joy in nature. Although his life was hard, he was peaceful inside and not disturbed by external things. This was the freedom and happiness he sought. One day, a high-ranking official came to invite Li Bai back to the court to become an official. Li Bai politely refused. He had seen through the intrigues of the court and valued his peaceful life of coarse clothes and simple food more. He understood that true happiness is not in wealth and glory, but in inner peace and freedom.
Usage
用于形容生活贫苦，不追求物质享受。
Used to describe a poor life that does not seek material enjoyment.
Examples
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他一生粗衣粝食，为民造福。
ta yisheng cuyi lishi wei min zaofu,geming niandai,xieduo zhanshi cuyi lishi jianku fendu
He spent his whole life in coarse clothes and simple food, working for the benefit of the people.
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革命年代，许多战士粗衣粝食，艰苦奋斗。
During the revolutionary period, many soldiers lived a simple life and worked hard.