Outwardly strong but inwardly weak; appearing robust but lacking substance or inner strength.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
A war broke out between the Qin and Jin states. Duke Hui of Jin decided to use horses gifted by the Zheng state for his chariots.
His minister, Qing Zheng, advised him, saying, "Since ancient times, when going to war, one should always use good horses from one's own country. They are native, familiar with the roads, and easy to command. Foreign horses are difficult to control; if they encounter anything unexpected, they will kick and neigh wildly. Moreover, these horses might look strong on the outside, but they are actually lacking in true ability (outwardly strong but inwardly weak). How can they be used for battle?"
However, Duke Hui did not heed Qing Zheng's advice. When the battle began, Jin's chariots and horses ran amok, quickly getting stuck in the mud and unable to advance or retreat. As a result, they were utterly defeated by the Qin army, and Duke Hui of Jin was captured alive.