外圆内方 wài yuán nèi fāng outwardly round, inwardly square

Explanation

形容人表面随和，内心坚定，不轻易妥协。

Describes someone who is outwardly easygoing but inwardly firm and unwavering.

Origin Story

年轻的王掌柜，初来乍到，人人都说他外圆内方，深得人心。他总是笑眯眯的，与街坊邻居相处融洽，生意也做得红红火火。但暗地里，他却有着精明的头脑和坚定的原则，从不轻易妥协。有一次，一位富商想以低价收购他的店铺，王掌柜面上虽答应考虑，但心里早有盘算，最终以高价卖出，丝毫不受对方威胁所动。他就像一块温润的玉，表面光滑圆润，内里却坚硬无比，守护着属于自己的价值和尊严。 他还乐于助人，经常帮助邻里解决问题。大家都觉得他是一个值得尊敬的人，一个真正意义上“外圆内方”的人。他的成功，不仅仅源于他的商业头脑，更源于他的人格魅力。他用他的行动证明了，外圆内方并非虚伪，而是智慧与坚韧的完美结合。

ningqing de wang zhanggui, chu lái zhà dào, rén rén dōu shuō tā wài yuán nèi fāng, shēn dé rénxīn. tā zǒngshì xiào mī mī de, yǔ jiēfang línjū xiāngchǔ róngqià, shēngyi yě zuò de hóng hóng huǒ huǒ. dàn àn dìlǐ, tā què yǒuzhe jīngmíng de tóunǎo hé jiāndìng de yuánzé, cóng bù qīngyì tuǒxié. yǒu yī cì, yī wèi fùshāng xiǎng yǐ dījià shōugòu tā de diànpù, wáng zhāngguǐ miàn shang suī dāying kǎolǜ, dàn xīnli zǎo yǒu pán suàn, zuìzhōng yǐ gāojià mài chū, sīhǎo bù shòu duìfāng wēixié suǒ dòng. tā jiù xiàng yī kuài wēn rùn de yù, biǎomiàn guānghuá yuánrùn, nèilǐ què jiānyìng wú bǐ, shǒuhùzhe shǔyú zìjǐ de jiàzhí hé zūnyán. tā hái lèyú zhùrén, jīngcháng bāngzhù línlǐ jiějué wèntí. dàjiā dōu juéde tā shì yīgè zhídé zūnjìng de rén, yīgè zhēnzhèng yìyì shang "wài yuán nèi fāng" de rén. tā de chénggōng, bù jǐn jīngyuán yú tā de shāngyè tóunǎo, gèng yuán yú tā de réngé mèilì. tā yòng tā de xíngdòng zhèngmíng le, wài yuán nèi fāng bìngfēi xūwěi, érshì zhìhuì yǔ jiānrèn de wánmèi jiéhé.

The young shopkeeper Wang, new to the town, was known by all as outwardly smooth but inwardly firm, and was quickly loved by everyone. He always had a smile, got along well with his neighbors, and his business prospered. But secretly, he possessed a sharp mind and unwavering principles, and never compromised easily. Once, a wealthy merchant tried to acquire his shop at a low price. Wang pretended to consider it, but had already made up his mind. In the end, he sold it at a high price, completely unmoved by the merchant's threats. He was like a piece of smooth, polished jade: smooth and round on the outside, but unyielding and firm on the inside. He protected his value and dignity. He was also very willing to help others and often solved problems for his neighbors. Everyone thought he was someone to be respected, someone who truly embodies the saying, "outwardly round, inwardly square." His success did not come from his business acumen alone, but also from his personal charm. He proved with his actions that being outwardly round and inwardly square is not hypocrisy, but a perfect combination of wisdom and resilience.

Usage

用于形容人的性格，既圆滑又正直。

yòng yú xíngróng rén de xìnggé, jì yuánhuá yòu zhèngzhí

Used to describe a person's character, both smooth and upright.

Examples

• 他为人外圆内方，深受同事爱戴。

  tā wéi rén wài yuán nèi fāng, shēn shòu tóngshì àidài

  He is outwardly smooth but inwardly firm, and is deeply loved by his colleagues.

• 虽然他表面看起来很随和，但内心却非常坚定，真是外圆内方。

  suīrán tā biǎomiàn kàn qǐlái hěn suíhé, dàn nèixīn què fēicháng jiāndìng, zhēnshi wài yuán nèi fāng

  Although he appears very easygoing on the surface, he is very firm at heart; a true example of being outwardly round and inwardly square.

• 这个领导外圆内方，既能团结下属，又能坚持原则。

  zhège lǐngdǎo wài yuán nèi fāng, jì néng tuánjié xiàshǔ, yòu néng jiānchí yuánzé

  This leader is outwardly accommodating and inwardly principled, able to unite his subordinates while upholding his principles.

Related Idioms

• 绵里藏针

• 外柔内刚

Opposite Idioms

• 外方内圆