📖 Meaning
To judge a person by their speech or eloquence. It warns against evaluating someone solely based on how well they talk, since eloquence does not necessarily reflect true ability or character.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Records of the Grand Historian (史记), in the chapter on Confucius's disciples. Confucius once admitted his mistakes, saying he had judged Zai Yu by his eloquence and was disappointed, and judged Zi Yu by his appearance and similarly erred. The saying became a caution against superficial judgment. It is attributed to Confucius during the Spring and Autumn period.
💡 Example Usage
以言取人往往会让我们错过真正有才能的人。
Judging people by their words alone often causes us to overlook those with genuine talent.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 以言取人
- Pinyin: yǐ yán qǔ rén
- Literal Translation: use, words, judge, person
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4