The Chinese language is rich with idioms and proverbs that offer profound insights into life and human nature. One such proverb is “人不可貌相，海水不可斗量” (rén bù kě mào xiàng, hǎi shuǐ bù kě dòu liáng), which translates character by character to “person-not-by-appearance-judged, ocean-water-not-by-volume unit-measure.” However, its functional translation is akin to the English saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
This proverb encapsulates a timeless truth: appearances can be deceiving. Just as you cannot accurately assess the depth or vastness of the ocean merely by looking at its surface, you cannot fully understand a person’s character or capabilities based solely on their outward appearance.
Let’s explore this proverb through a couple of examples:
Example 1: Person A: “他平常看起来很不起眼，可是在昨天的大场面上表现得恰到好处，一看就是见过世面的。看来真是人不可貌相，海水不可斗量。” Translated: “He usually looks very undistinguished, but he conducted himself perfectly at yesterday’s occasion. He seemed, at a glance, cultured. It looks like you really can’t judge a book by its cover.”
Example 2: Person A: “你看他这身打扮，能有什么本事?” Person B: “别这么说，人不可貌相，海水不可斗量。史蒂夫•乔布斯还只穿黑色高领衫和牛仔裤呢，谁敢小看他?” Translated: “Look at the way he dresses! What could he be good at?” “Don’t say that. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Steve Jobs just wears a black turtleneck and jeans, and who would dare to look down on him?”
These examples illustrate how the proverb “人不可貌相，海水不可斗量” applies in various situations. It reminds us to look beyond superficial appearances and not to make hasty judgments about others based solely on how they look or present themselves.
Usage of this proverb is versatile and can be applied in a wide range of contexts. It serves as a gentle reminder to approach people and situations with an open mind, recognizing that there is often more depth and complexity beneath the surface.
In conclusion, the proverb “人不可貌相，海水不可斗量” holds timeless wisdom that transcends cultural boundaries. It encourages us to embrace empathy, understanding, and the willingness to look beyond appearances in our interactions with others, ultimately leading to deeper connections and insights into the human experience.
