There is an idiom called “表里如一” (biǎo lǐ rú yī), which literally means that the surface and the inner self are one and the same, describing a complete consistency between words and actions. “表” (biǎo) refers to the external appearance; “里” (lǐ) refers to the inner self.
According to some sources, “表里如一” originates from the Song Dynasty, where Zhu Xi explained it in his work, the “Complete Works of Zhuzi”. In the “Analects of Confucius, Yan Yuan” it states: “To act with loyalty; this is a fact that must be genuine.” Zhu Xi interpreted this sentence as: “With loyalty; then the inner and outer are one and the same.”
In fact, the explanation of “表里如一” was already provided by Kong Chao during the Western Jin Dynasty.
Kong Chao interpreted the phrase “行见中外曰悫” from the “Lost Book of Zhou: Explanation of Posthumous Names” as “words are consistent between inner and outer”, where “悫” (què) refers to honesty.
The “Lost Book of Zhou”, also known as the “Book of Zhou”, was later referred to as the “Jizhong Zhou Book” during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It mainly records events from the time of King Wen of Zhou, King Wu of Zhou, Duke of Zhou, King Cheng, King Kang, King Mu, King Li, to King Jing.
It is traditionally said that the “Lost Book of Zhou” consists of the remaining chapters after Confucius edited the “Book of Documents”, thus it is named as the lost chapters of the “Book of Zhou”; however, this view is not widely accepted in the academic community.
The “Explanation of Posthumous Names” was written by Liu Xiang, a literary figure of the Western Han Dynasty, and is a document that introduces the evaluation of posthumous titles. A posthumous title is a name given to ancient emperors and generals after their death based on their deeds during their lifetime, summarizing their merits and faults.
Liu Xiang (circa 77 BC – 6 BC), also known as Liu Gengsheng, was a scholar of the Western Han Dynasty, a bibliographer, and a literary figure. His work “Bielu” is the earliest catalog of books in China.
“表里如一” (biǎo lǐ rú yī) was also a favored phrase among ancient people, often discussed in literature, such as:
Liu Xie of the Southern Dynasties in his work “The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons: Supplementary Meetings” said: “The beginning and end are meticulous, the inner and outer are one body.” Here, “inner and outer are one body” is equivalent to “表里如一”.
Fang Xiaoru of the Ming Dynasty wrote in “Inscription of Shuanggui Pavilion”: “The public is harmonious, easy, and sincere, inner and outer are one and the same.”
In the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Boxing also stated in “Collected Works of the Study of Confusion”: “If one is truly a person of integrity, naturally the inner and outer are one and the same.”
Later generations also derived the idiom “表里不一” (biǎo lǐ bù yī) in contrast to “表里如一”.
Honesty and trustworthiness are the moral principles of being a person. Consistency between words and actions, being open and aboveboard, seeking truth from facts, and valuing credit are essential to earn sincere treatment from others.
In conducting oneself and doing things, one should abandon the hypocrisy of “表里不一” and uphold the sincerity of “表里如一”.