History
言過其實
Words Beyond One’s Deeds
Korean: 언과기실Japanese: 言過其実（げんかきじつ）Pinyin: yán guò qí shí
Meaning
Talk that outruns the substance — describing someone whose eloquence exceeds their real ability, or an inflated claim.
Origin story
Ma Su was a brilliant talker who could discourse on strategy all night, and Zhuge Liang treasured their debates. But the dying Liu Bei saw differently. Entrusting the state to Zhuge Liang at Baidicheng, he warned: "Ma Su’s words outrun his substance — do not give him great responsibility. Watch him carefully." Zhuge Liang did not take the warning to heart, later gave Ma Su the key command at Jieting, and lost the whole campaign. The old king’s caution against judging people by their eloquence proved true in the harshest way.
Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms — Ma Liang (Liu Bei’s dying counsel)
People
Modern examples
- The startup’s pitch was all words beyond substance — they didn’t even have a prototype.
- He dazzled in the interview, but on the job his talk clearly outran his skills.