藏污纳垢 to harbor impurities and accumulate dirt
Explanation
比喻隐藏或包容坏人坏事。
It is a metaphor for hiding or tolerating bad people and bad things.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋景公准备攻打楚国，大夫伯宗劝阻晋景公。伯宗说：‘谚曰“高下在心”。川泽纳污，山薮藏疾，瑾瑜匿瑕，国君含垢，天之道也。’意思是说，大江大河能容纳污水，山林沼泽能容纳疾病，美玉也会有瑕疵，国君也要容纳臣下的过失，这是天理。因此，晋景公放弃了攻打楚国的计划。这个故事说明，即使是像江河那样伟大的存在，也能包容污浊之物。以此来比喻国家或组织包容缺点和不足。
During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Jing of Jin was preparing to attack the state of Chu. Minister Bo Zong dissuaded Duke Jing. Bo Zong said, 'The proverb says, "High and low are in the heart." Rivers and lakes contain filth, mountains and marshes contain diseases, even the finest jade has flaws, and a ruler should tolerate the faults of his subjects; this is the way of Heaven.' This means that large rivers and lakes can accommodate dirty water, forests and swamps can contain diseases, even precious jade has flaws, and a ruler should also tolerate the shortcomings of his ministers, this is the natural way of things. Therefore, Duke Jing gave up his plan to attack Chu. This story shows that even great things like rivers can contain filthy things. It is used to illustrate the ability of a country or organization to tolerate shortcomings and deficiencies.
Usage
常用来形容包容坏人坏事的地方或环境。
It is often used to describe places or environments that harbor bad people and bad things.
Examples
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这个地方曾经是一个藏污纳垢的黑窝。
zhege difang cengjing shi yige cangwu nagou de heiwo.
This place was once a den of iniquity.
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他为人正直，从不藏污纳垢。
ta wei ren zhengzhi,cong bu cangwu nagou
He is an upright man who never harbors evil..