📖 Meaning
To speak agreeably but act contrary to one's words, essentially being two-faced in word and deed. It is a variant of the idiom 靖言庸违 and carries the same meaning of saying one thing while doing another.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom is a variant of 靖言庸违, which traces back to the Book of Documents (尚书·尧典), one of the most ancient Chinese classics. In the original passage, the legendary Emperor Yao described a minister whose eloquent words were contradicted by his actions, deeming him unsuitable for office. The variant 靖言庸回 substitutes 回 (to turn back, to go against) for 违 (to violate, to oppose), preserving the identical sense of speech and conduct being at odds.
💡 Example Usage
此人虽善于辞令，却靖言庸回，难当大任。
Though this person is eloquent, he says one thing and does another, making him unfit for important responsibilities.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 靖言庸回
- Pinyin: jìng yán yōng huí
- Literal Translation: clever speech, habitually contrary
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4