《笑里藏刀》出处、故事、英文翻译、注释

7.笑里藏刀

xiào lǐ cáng dāo

【出处】《三十六计》第十计：信而安之，阴以图之，备而后动，勿使有变，刚中柔外也。《旧唐书·李义府传》：“义府貌状温恭，与人语必嬉怡微笑，而褊忌阴贼。既处要权，欲人附己，微忤意者，辄加倾陷。故时人言义府笑中有刀。”

【成语故事】三国时期，由于荆州的地理位置十分重要，它常常成为兵家相互争夺的地方。公元217年，关羽带领军队守护荆州，而孙权一直想夺取荆州，只是时机还不够成熟。不久以后，关羽发兵进攻曹操控制的樊城，他怕有后患，于是留下很多兵力留守保卫荆州。当时，孙权手下有位大将名叫吕蒙，他认为夺取荆州的时机已到了，但因自己有病在身，无法亲自带队作战，于是建议孙权任用当时毫无名气的青年将领陆逊去完成这个任务。陆逊上任后，决定和关羽表面假装和好、背地做好打仗的军事准备。一天，趁天气晴朗，他亲自带了礼物去拜见关羽，带着一脸的笑容，一方面极力赞美关羽的能干，另一方面又极力贬低自己的能力，说自己刚出道不久，根本没什么军事实践能力。关羽是一个相当自负的人，他听到赞美后十分高兴，于是决定从荆州守军中调出大部分人马，一心一意攻打樊城。不久之后，身体已经康复的大将吕蒙将精锐军队埋伏在改装成商船的战舰内，日夜赶路，突然对荆州守军发动袭击，攻下了荆州。关羽得到消息后，急忙回师，但此时一切都已经晚了。

【寓意】该成语原意是指有些人表面上总是对人笑脸相迎，谦卑和气，其实暗地里却有着险恶的用心。后用来喻指那些外表看起来和善，却隐藏着阴险毒辣目的的人。

笑里藏刀
Velvet Paws Hide Sharp Claws

7.Velvet Paws Hide Sharp Claws

【Idiomatic Story】 During the Three Kingdoms period，Jingzhou became a very important strategic area due to its geographic location.But it was under the control of the Shu Kingdom.In 217AD，GUAN Yu，a general of the Shu Kingdom，was ordered to station in Jingzhou for the guarding affairs.The King of the Wu Kingdom SUN Quan always wanted to take Jingzhou from the Shu Kingdom，and he had been waiting for the best opportunity.

After a period of time，GUAN Yu captained his troops to launch an attack on Fancheng which was under the control of the Wei Kingdom.But he kept sufficient forces to guard Jingzhou for the unexpected situation.At that time，there was a general named LV Meng in the Wu Kingdom，he thought it was the best chance to capture Jingzhou.So he recommended a little-known young man named LU Xun to the King of the Wu Kingdom as the leading general because he couldn't command the armed force himself for his sickness.

After taking the post，LU Xun kept good relations with GUAN Yu outwardly，but he prepared for the confronting war inwardly.On a fine day，LU Xun went to visit GUAN Yu with some gifts.When he saw GUAN Yu，with friendly smiles wearing on the face，LU Xun exerted every effort to praise GUAN Yu for his military talents and experience，and he also tried his best to belittle himself.He told GUAN Yu he was a freshman for the military affairs.

GUAN Yu felt overconfidently pleased when he heard what LU Xun said.So he thought LU Xun would bring no danger to Jingzhou.Therefore he decided to send more soldiers to attack Fancheng whole-heartedly.

Not long，LV Meng had recovered from sickness.He led his elite forces who had been hidden in the warships which looked like merchant ships from outside to approach Jingzhou secretly.Then they launched a sudden attack onto the guarding soldiers of the Shu Kingdom and finally captured the city Jingzhou.When GUAN Yu got the news，he led the troops to return to Jingzhou for a help.But it was too late，the die had been cast.

【Implied Meaning】It originally refers those who always treat others politely and friendly with smiles wearing on the in face，but actually concealed their evil motives.Now it is often used to refer to those who pretend to befriend with others but with menacing intentions indeed.