以小人之心，度君子之腹
yǐ​xiǎo​rén​zhī​xīn​duó​jūn​zǐ​zhī​fù

to judge a noble person with a mean mind

  1. 以 yǐ preposition
    by means of
    to use; by means of; with; using the tool or method introduced
  2. 小人 xiǎo​rén noun
    villain
    a base, mean, or despicable person; a vile character
  3. 之 zhī particle
    [possessive]
    Connects a describing word or phrase to the noun it describes, similar to 的 de but used in formal or literary writing.
  4. 心 xīn noun
    intention
    purpose; motive; moral character or disposition
  5. ， duó
    non-Chinese
  6. 度 duó verb
    to estimate
    (bound form) to estimate; to calculate; to guess
  7. 君子 jūn​zǐ noun
    gentleman
    A man of noble character, integrity, and virtue; often contrasted with 小人 xiǎo​rén.
  8. 之 zhī particle
    [possessive]
    Connects a describing word or phrase to the noun it describes, similar to 的 de but used in formal or literary writing.
  9. 腹 fù
    inner heart
    (bound form) the center of one's thoughts or feelings; one's mind or inner intentions