Shì biàn zhī rénxīn.

事變知人心。

Lit [Only when the] situation changes [does one] know a person's [true] mind.

Fig One only gets to know another's true loyalty, sincerity or friendship in times of adversity or emergency.

Note [Note: shìbiàn as a noun means “emergency”; see also guó luàn chū zhōngchén and rén dào nánchù above.]

Topics ADVERSITY CHANGE CIRCUMSTANCES FRIENDSHIP LOYALTY MINDS OTHERS SINCERITY