expression
smooth talk and flattering smiles often hide a lack of true kindness
A proverb from the Analects of Confucius warning that people who use clever words and ingratiating expressions are rarely sincere or compassionate. Used in formal or literary contexts.
See also: 巧言令色
「巧言令色鮮し仁」という言葉は、孔子の教えとしてよく知られている。
The saying 'Those who resort to blandishments and fawning smiles are apt to lack compassion' is well known as a teaching of Confucius.
彼はいつも愛想がいいが、巧言令色鮮し仁というから、本心はわからない。
He is always affable, but as the proverb goes, smooth talk and flattering smiles often hide a lack of true kindness, so I can't tell what he really thinks.
A shorter four-character compound meaning 'flattery and fair words'; the full proverb adds 鮮し仁 to complete the Confucian warning.
From the Analects of Confucius (論語). The phrase 巧言令色鮮矣仁 appears in the first chapter, warning that artful speech and ingratiating looks are rarely accompanied by true benevolence (仁).