To be overly pleased with one's own clever scheme or calculation, often implying a misguided sense of superiority or underestimation of consequences; to fancy oneself brilliant when one's plan is actually flawed or mean-spirited.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Shuwen, who was striving for political reform, was demoted, and Liu Zongyuan was consequently exiled. Liu's close friend, Han Yu, penned "The Epitaph for Liu Zihou."
In it, Han Yu reflected that one's true integrity and moral character are often best revealed during times of adversity. He lamented those who, while outwardly appearing friendly and even sworn brothers, would secretly abandon their allies in times of trouble, throwing stones at them when they were down, and then congratulate themselves on their own perceived cleverness, believing their schemes to be brilliant. Such behavior, he concluded, was truly lamentable.