Thanks for your reply. However it sounds not quite the same as the original meaning. How about saying it like this: Honesty is the foundation for one's foothold in the world. Is it intelligible?

I am not sure I fully understand what you have explained about this word. Google Translate gives this translation of it: "The founding of the world" Somehow, I don't think that quite fits. The word that comes to my mind is "niche". For most of my life I labored at jobs I hated. My motivation was money, although I never seemed to have enough of it. When I got old and people would no longer hire me for the kind of jobs I was seeking, I was given the knowledge of how to teach English online to foreign students. I started doing that, mostly as a supplement to my income. I did not believe, in the beginning, that it would become my mainstay. I have been doing this now for nearly 5 1/2 years. I have taught more than 600 students from 60 countries. I thoroughly enjoy teaching foreigners how to speak my language. In all my years it never occurred to me to be a teacher. Now, when I look back on it, I realize that there were a few times that I taught others and those times are surrounded with pleasant memories. I wouldn't trade what I do now for anything in this world. The money is no longer the important part of my job. I have friends all over the world and I love my students. My only regret is that I didn't learn this many, many years ago. I have found my niche in this world and I love it! I'm not sure this fits the translation you are seeking, but I hope it helps. :-)

The theme song of the sitcom "Cheers" begins with the words "making your way in the world today takes everything you've got". That sounds similar to what you're saying. Or "climbing the social ladder". Do either of those help? I can't translate the Chinese, so I thought I'd just make a couple of suggestions. :) Hope you get a better answer than this!