Chinese Idiom: 妄自尊大 (Wang Zi Zun Da)
English Translation: Foolishly considering oneself great
pīn yīn: wàng zì zūn dà
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to a blind and inflated sense of self-importance, where one has an exaggerated opinion of their own abilities or status.
Historical Source: 《后汉书·马援传》 (Book of the Later Han: Biography of Ma Yuan).
Idiom Story:
Ma Yuan was a prominent general in the early Eastern Han dynasty who aided Emperor Guangwu in establishing and consolidating the state. He was known for his military prowess, earning the title of “General of the Vanguard” (伏波将军). Before aligning with Emperor Guangwu, he served under Kuaixiao, who had declared himself General of the Western Region in the area of Gansu.
At the time, the Eastern Han was not fully unified, with several local warlords still holding power. One of the most significant rival factions was led by Gongsun Shu, who had proclaimed himself emperor in Chengdu. In search of a path forward, Kuaixiao sent Ma Yuan to meet Gongsun Shu, thinking their past friendship and shared hometown would lead to a warm reception.
However, upon arrival in Chengdu, Ma Yuan found Gongsun Shu acting like a pompous emperor, seated high on a throne surrounded by guards and demanding that Ma Yuan approach him with deference. Displeased by this display of arrogance, Ma Yuan rejected the idea of serving under Gongsun Shu, recognizing that he was not a leader who valued talented individuals or sought to build a great enterprise together.
Upon returning and reporting to Kuaixiao, Ma Yuan reflected:
“Gongsun Shu is like a frog at the bottom of a well, blindly self-important and thinking himself significant. He cannot achieve anything great; we should instead focus on the east.”
In this context, Ma Yuan compared Gongsun Shu to a frog living at the bottom of a well, highlighting his narrow perspective and inflated self-esteem. He suggested they seek opportunities with Emperor Guangwu instead.
As a result, the story gives rise to the idiom “妄自尊大,” emphasizing the folly of having an unwarranted sense of superiority and the limitations that come with it.
