📖 Meaning
To curse others with a vegetarian mouth. It is a metaphor for hypocrisy—outwardly appearing pious or pure while behaving wickedly underneath. The idiom contrasts outward observance (abstaining from meat) with vicious conduct.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom traces to the Song dynasty work 'Donggu Suojiang' (东谷所见) by Li Zhiyan, in the section 'Ru Su' (On Vegetarianism). Li quotes an old saying: 'Rather chant the Buddha's name with a meat-eating mouth, than curse people with a vegetarian mouth.' The contrast underscores that outward piety paired with malicious behavior is worse than honest imperfection. The phrase has since come to denote sanctimonious hypocrisy.
💡 Example Usage
他嘴上吃斋念佛，却素口骂人，真是伪善。
He claims to be a devout vegetarian who chants sutras, yet curses people with his pious mouth—truly hypocritical.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 素口骂人
- Pinyin: sù kǒu mà rén
- Literal Translation: vegetarian, mouth, curse, people
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4