Being too clever can backfire. Overthinking or scheming can lead to one's own downfall, as the very intelligence used to manipulate situations becomes a trap.
A classic warning against cunning and overconfidence, often cited in stories where a trickster is outwitted by their own schemes.
It signals a cultural value on sincerity and simplicity over scheming. It warns that excessive cleverness can alienate others and lead to self-defeat.
Draw random cards from hundreds of real Chinese folk sayings and proverbs. Each flip reveals what Chinese people actually mean.
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