巧言令色鮮し仁

巧言令色少なし仁、 巧言令色すくなし仁

Reading

Kana: こうげんれいしょくすくなしじん

Romaji: kougenreishokusukunashijin

Definition

exp

1

those who resort to blandishments and fawning smiles are apt to lack compassion; a honeyed tongue with a heart of gall

Note: archaism

See also: 巧言令色

Kanji

巧

Readings: コウ、 たく.み、 たく.む、 うま.い

Meanings: adroit, skilled, ingenuity

言

Readings: ゲン、 ゴン、 い.う、 こと

Meanings: say, word

令

Reading: レイ

Meanings: orders, ancient laws, command, decree

色

Readings: ショク、 シキ、 いろ

Meaning: color

鮮

Readings: セン、 あざ.やか

Meanings: fresh, vivid, clear, brilliant, Korea

仁

Readings: ジン、 ニ、 ニン

Meanings: humanity, virtue, benevolence, charity, man, kernel

少

Readings: ショウ、 すく.ない、 すこ.し

Meanings: few, little

Example Sentence

あいつは口(くち)ばかりで、誠意(せいい)がないね。巧言令色(こうげんれいしょく)少(すく)なし仁(じん)とはよくいったもんだ。

➥They say fine words are no virtue if they're insincere and that's him in a nutshell. He's all talk but doesn't mean a word of it.