外貌不與中情相應
When Outward Appearance Does Not Match Inner Character
武王問太公曰：「王者舉兵欲簡練英雄，知士之高下，為之奈何？」太公曰：「夫士外貌不與中情相應者十五：有嚴而不肖者，有溫良而為盜者，有貌恭敬而心慢者，有外廉謹而內無至誠者，有精精而無情者，有湛湛而無誠者，有好謀而無決者，有如果敢而不能者，有悾悾而不信者，有恍恍惚惚而反忠實者，有詭激而有功效者，有外勇而內怯者，有肅肅而反易人者，有嚆嚆而反靜愨者，有勢虛形劣而外出無所不至無所不遂者。天下所賤，聖人所貴，凡人莫知，非有大明，不見其際，此士之外貌不與中情相應者也。」
King Wu asked Taigong: 'When a king raises an army and wishes to select the finest heroes and know the caliber of his officers, how should this be done?' Taigong said: 'There are fifteen types of men whose outward appearance does not match their inner character: some appear stern but are incompetent; some appear gentle and kind but are thieves; some appear respectful but are inwardly contemptuous; some appear modest and careful but lack true sincerity; some appear sharp but have no real feelings; some appear deep but lack true commitment; some are fond of planning but cannot decide; some appear resolute and daring but are actually incapable; some appear earnest but are untrustworthy; some appear confused and dazed but are in fact loyal and reliable; some appear eccentric and extreme but produce real results; some appear brave outwardly but are cowardly within; some appear solemn but are actually easygoing; some appear harsh but are in fact calm and honest; some appear weak in position and poor in form but wherever they go they succeed in everything. These last types the world despises, but the sage values them. Ordinary people cannot discern this — without great clarity, one cannot perceive these distinctions. These are the cases where outward appearance does not match inner character.'