Hǎo jiǔ shuō bù suān; suān jiǔ shuō bù tián.

好酒說不酸, 酸酒說不甜。

Lit Good wine won't become sour, however it is downplayed; sour wine won't become sweet, however it is praised.

Fig Good people are good, and bad people are bad, no matter what others say about them.

Note [See also hǎorén shuō bù huài below.]

Topics PRAISE QUALITY SLANDER