人穷志不穷

人穷志不穷

Literally means:

a person is poor but his ambition is not poor

Actually means:

cherish great ambition despite one's humble position

穷 means poor life or difficult situation; 志 means not lacking.

This phrase means one cherishes great ambition, does not bow to evil power or refuses to take ill-gotten money though he is rather poor.

穷，生活贫苦，处境困难。志，志气。不穷，不缺乏。

指虽然穷困，但要穷得有志气，有骨气，不向恶势力低头，不要不义之财。