Yan Bu You Zhong – Words not from the heart

Yan Bu You Zhong Words Not From The Heart

Chinese Idiom: 言不由衷 (Yan Bu You Zhong)

English Translation: Words not from the heart

pīn yīn: yán bù yóu zhōng

Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to insincere speech or behavior that lacks genuine emotion. It describes situations where a person does not speak their true feelings, often leading to hypocritical or perfunctory actions.

Historical Source: Zuo Zhuan (《左传 ·隐公三年》).

Idiom Story:

During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou dynasty was in decline, and the king had lost much of his authority among the feudal lords. Following Duke Wu of Zheng, Duke Zhuang of Zheng became a prominent minister in the court of King Ping of Zhou, but he did not show proper respect to the king. In response to Zhuang’s dissatisfaction, King Ping appointed Duke Guo of Xiguo to oversee certain matters in the court, which Zhuang perceived as an attempt to replace him.

To alleviate tensions, King Ping tried to reassure Duke Zhuang by stating, “I have no such intention,” suggesting that there was no plan to diminish Zhuang’s power. To further build trust, they agreed to exchange hostages: King Ping’s son, Prince Hu, would serve as a hostage in Zheng, while Zhuang’s son, who was also named Hu, would go to Zhou. This incident became known as the “Hostage Exchange between Zhou and Zheng.”

However, just a few months later, King Ping died, and his grandson, known as King Huan of Zhou, ascended to the throne. King Huan, seeking to consolidate power, also looked to Duke Guo for assistance, which infuriated Duke Zhuang. In retaliation, Zhuang dispatched General Zhai Zhong to raid the fields within the Zhou territory, stealing ripened crops. This marked the beginning of deteriorating relations between the states of Zhou and Zheng.

In light of these events, some honest officials commented, “Trust that does not come from the heart is of no benefit. If one acts sincerely and abides by rites, even without hostages, who can sow discord between them?”

This statement, meaning that insincere words render the exchange of hostages meaningless, eventually gave rise to the idiom “言不由衷,” illustrating the importance of genuine communication and trust in

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