Chinese Idiom: 口蜜腹剑 (Kou Mi Fu Jian)
English Translation: Sweet words but a malicious heart
pīn yīn: kǒu mì fù jiàn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who says pleasant things but harbors malicious intentions. “口蜜” (kǒu mì) means “honey in the mouth,” indicating sweet and flattering speech, while “腹剑” (fù jiàn) means “a sword in the belly,” implying hidden harmful intentions.
Historical Source: “Zizhi Tongjian · Tang Ji” (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government · Records of the Tang Dynasty).
Idiom Story
During the Tang Dynasty, in the Tianbao era, Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji) initially oversaw a stable political and economic society. However, in his later years, he became increasingly extravagant and neglectful, entrusting the administration entirely to his Prime Minister, Li Linfu.
Li Linfu was a deceitful and treacherous individual, skilled in pretending to be virtuous while secretly plotting against others. One of his victims was Yan Tingzhi, a capable official who once expressed disdain for Li Linfu’s character. As a result, Li Linfu slandered Yan in front of Emperor Xuanzong, leading to Yan’s demotion to the position of governor in Luoyang.
After some time, Emperor Xuanzong recalled Yan Tingzhi’s abilities and considered reinstating him. He asked Li Linfu about Yan’s current status. Li Linfu deceitfully reported that Yan was old and afflicted with rheumatism, rendering him unfit for high office. This false information caused the emperor to abandon the idea of bringing Yan back.
Another high-ranking official, Li Shizhi, who was straightforward by nature, also fell victim to Li Linfu’s schemes. Li Shizhi failed to see through Li Linfu’s facade of kindness and deceit. Believing Li Linfu’s false claim about a gold mine near Mount Hua, Li Shizhi reported this to Emperor Xuanzong, suggesting it could enrich the state. When the emperor asked Li Linfu about it, he pretended to have known all along but advised against mining to protect the mountain’s spiritual significance. This response pleased the emperor, who then reprimanded Li Shizhi for his rashness and began to distance himself from him.
Despite suffering from Li Linfu’s schemes and feeling wronged, Li Shizhi finally saw through Li Linfu’s true nature, realizing he was a man with “honey in his mouth and a sword in his belly.”
This phrase was later simplified into the idiom “口蜜腹剑” (kǒu mì fù jiàn), referring to someone who speaks sweetly but harbors harmful intentions.
