17.12 子曰：“色厉而内荏1，譬诸小人，其犹穿窬之盗也与2？”
【译文】
孔子说：“外表严厉而内心怯弱的人，如果用小人作比喻，大概像那穿洞翻墙的小偷吧？”
【YZG解释】
孔子说：“外表威严猛厉而内心软弱怯懦的人，相当于低级的小人，大概可用那穿洞翻墙的小偷作比喻吧？”
【English Translation】
Confucius said: “The persons who appear stern and fierce outside but actually are weak and cowardly in mind can be called wicked persons. Perhaps it can be compared to a thief who tunnels through and climbs over walls.”