巧言令色
Chinese
| clever but deceptive talk | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| trad. (巧言令色) | 巧言 | 令色 | |
| simp. #(巧言令色) | 巧言 | 令色 | |
Etymology
Attested in the Book of Documents (《尚書·皐陶謨》):
- 能哲而惠，何憂乎驩兜？何遷乎有苗？何畏乎巧言令色孔壬？ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: The Book of Documents, circa 4th – 3rd century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Néng zhé ér huì, hé yōu hū Huān Dōu? Hé qiān hū Yǒumiáo? Hé wèi hū qiǎoyán lìngsè kǒngrén? [Pinyin]
- When he can be (thus) wise and kind, what occasion will he have for anxiety about a Huan-dou? what to be removing a lord of Miao? what to fear any one of fair words, insinuating appearance, and great artfulness?
能哲而惠，何忧乎欢兜？何迁乎有苗？何畏乎巧言令色孔壬？ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Also attested in the Analects, Book 1 (《論語·學而》):
- 子曰：「巧言令色，鮮矣仁！」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐ yuē: “Qiǎoyán lìngsè, xiān yǐ rén!” [Pinyin]
- The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."
子曰：「巧言令色，鲜矣仁！」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Pronunciation
Descendants
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