Translation question (Chinese)?

Question

I've asked a previous question about symbols:

本性難移

It has been determined that even though this is kind of what i want, this particular saying carries a negative connotation.

Is there a translation for - "It is impossible to change your basic characteristics" in traditional chinese that is 4-5 symbols long?

for example. even though you go through hard times and people are mean/rude - you keep your good heart and courage or bravery and honesty.

Answer 1

Yo! Dude! This is difficult.

You want proverb for "It is impossible to change your basic characteristics". When you mentioned "本性難移" It means "bred-in-the-bone". In this context, the "本性" means "affinity", "congenital",& "internal". It's part of you. It's like I like sex and food.

If you rephrase the translation "it is impossible to change your personality". That may be possible such as:

擇善固執 (The closest to what you want)
"to choose what is good and hold fast to it" (Interesting translation by Yahoo :)
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E6%93%87%E5%96%84%E5%9B%BA%E5%9F%B7

正人君子
a man of honor; a gentleman
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E6%AD%A3%E4%BA%BA%E5%90%9B%E5%AD%90

(For the lady)
冰清玉潔
"as clean as ice and as pure as jade"; pure and noble [damn! where are the virgins :]
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E5%86%B0%E6%B8%85%E7%8E%89%E6%BD%94

(For the lady)
蕙質蘭心
"a pure heart and spirit"
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E8%95%99%E8%B3%AA%E8%98%AD%E5%BF%83

Some for the generals:

言而有信
"to be true to one's word"
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E8%A8%80%E8%80%8C%E6%9C%89%E4%BF%A1

有志竟成 (or 皇天不負苦心人)
Where there is a will. There is a way.

壯志凌雲
"with soaring aspirations"
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E5%A3%AF%E5%BF%97%E5%87%8C%E9%9B%B2

持之以恆
to persevere in doing something
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E6%8C%81%E4%B9%8B%E4%BB%A5%E6%81%86

不屈不撓
do-or-die
indomitably (like some kind of warrior dude)
indefatigably (no break dude)
http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&p=%E6%8C%81%E4%B9%8B%E4%BB%A5%E6%81%86

Yes. All the other is going through the stuff and blah blah blah :)

Answer 2

本性難移 does have a negative connotation.

I would write:
烈火真金／真金不怕火煉 (Can cope with challenges)
本性善良
人格高尚

Answer 3

babelfish.altavista.com has traditional chinese translations

Answer 4

can u post it as a jpg and link it, i might be able to find em then. :)

xie xie!!

Answer 5

try this site http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/index.html