Biǎo zhuàng bùrú lǐ zhuàng.

表壯不如裡壯。

Lit [Better to be] strong inside than [to be] strong outside.

Fig (1) [Originally:] [An] able [husband] outside [working to support a family is] not as good as [an] able [wife] inside [working and saving to take care of the family]. (2) Inner strength is more important than outward appearance.

Note [Of individuals, families, etc.; WM, chap. 24.]

Topics APPEARANCES FAMILIES SOLIDARITY STRENGTH THRIFT WIVES WM